Irish Refugee Council to be awarded Bar Human Rights Award

The award will be formally presented at The Bar of Ireland’s annual Human Rights Conference tomorrow, Saturday 20 June 2026, which is also World Refugee Day. The award comes at a pivotal moment for Ireland’s international protection system, as the State began implementation of the EU Migration and Asylum Pact last week.

Seán Guerin SC, chair of the Council of The Bar of Ireland, said: “The Irish Refugee Council has demonstrated exceptional leadership and commitment to upholding the rights of people seeking protection in Ireland. Its work, both in supporting individuals and advocacy, has made a lasting contribution to human rights protection in this State.

“As Ireland begins implementing the EU Migration and Asylum Pact, it is essential that the system is grounded in fair procedures, robust legal safeguards and full access to legal representation at every stage. These are not optional; they are fundamental principles of justice.”

Simon Donagh BL, chair of The Bar of Ireland Human Rights Committee, said: “This award recognises the Irish Refugee Council’s dual impact, supporting individuals navigating often complex legal processes while also contributing meaningfully to the development of a fair, rights-based protection system.

“The scale of reform now underway requires careful scrutiny and implementation. It is critical that clarity, effective remedies and protections for vulnerable applicants are fully embedded in the system from the outset.”

Nick Henderson, CEO of the Irish Refugee Council, said: “We are honoured to receive this award from The Bar of Ireland. It reflects the resilience and strength of the people we support, and our shared commitment to ensuring that dignity, fairness and protection are central to Ireland’s response to those seeking refuge.

“As the EU Migration and Asylum Pact comes into effect, we must ensure that these significant changes are implemented in a way that protects access to justice, provides clarity around legal advice and safeguards the rights of vulnerable individuals throughout the process.”

Submissions from both The Bar of Ireland and the Irish Refugee Council, alongside wider civil society engagement, highlight a number of shared concerns regarding the operation of the system that will be in practice following the introduction of the Pact, including areas such as access to legal advice and representation, fair procedures and effectives remedies, and protection of vulnerable applicants.