Anastasia who also chairs IACD’s International Committee, is the first Irish person to lead a UN treaty body, which are international committees of independent experts that monitor states’ implementation of international human rights treaties.
CERD, is dedicated to overseeing the implementation of the International Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Racial Discrimination. Located in Geneva, CERD consists of 18 experts who meet twice a year for three weeks at a time. Prior to her election, Anastasia Crickley served as vice-president of the Committee. She will now serve a two-year term as its president.
Speaking after her election, Anastasia said: “It’s an honour and privilege to be elected as president at this crucial and challenging time for all who care globally about human rights, including the right to be free from racial discrimination in all its forms. While there has been improvement globally over the 50 years since the Convention was adopted by the UN General Assembly, other manifestations of racism—mostly long present—have become visible.”
“We face a major global challenge of developing a rights-based response free of racial discrimination to migrants and refugees in all the world’s regions, not least Europe. As a woman I’m very conscious of the ways that women experience racism and the need to address that combination of racism and gender oppression which affects too many women globally. As an Irish person I’m conscious of the work done, but also the major challenges outstanding to realise full human rights and equality including for Travellers and Roma,” she added.
Anastasia Crickley has challenged and addressed racism throughout her life at local, regional, national and international levels; in direct work with discriminated groups, including Travellers and Roma; in her practical community work across Ireland; and in global and local policy and human rights forums.
