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Polls to open in Irish family and care referendums

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On Friday, Irish voters will participate in two referendums concerning changes to the country’s constitution regarding family and care.

One referendum asks whether to broaden the definition of family to include non-marital relationships. The other referendum seeks to remove language regarding the role of women in the home and replace it with gender-neutral language recognizing care provided by family members.

Voters will receive two ballots: a white one for the family referendum and a green one for the care referendum. The family referendum proposes adding language to extend constitutional protections to various family structures, while the care referendum aims to replace gender-specific language with inclusive language regarding care provision.

The current constitution only protects families based on marriage, but if the family referendum is passed, all family units would receive equal constitutional rights. Similarly, the care referendum aims to update language and recognition of care provision within families.

Voting eligibility requires being 18 or older, an Irish citizen, registered to vote, and residing in Ireland. Polls will be open from 07:00 to 22:00 local time on Friday. The government scheduled these referendums to coincide with International Women’s Day. Counting of votes will commence on Saturday morning.

In Ireland, a referendum is necessary for any proposed changes to the constitution, which has undergone various amendments since its ratification in 1937, including legalizing same-sex marriage in 2015 and repealing the abortion ban in 2018.

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Russia’s Rejection from UN Human Rights Council Membership

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Russia’s ambition to regain its seat at the United Nations’ Human Rights Council was dealt a significant blow as the nation failed to secure a new three-year term. Russia’s expulsion from the council in April of the previous year, prompted by its military incursion into Ukraine, had led the country to campaign vigorously for reinstatement, aiming to exploit divisions among UN member states regarding support for Ukraine.

Nonetheless, Bulgaria and Albania managed to secure the two available seats designated for Eastern European countries. The voting took place in the aftermath of a Russian missile attack in northeastern Ukraine, which resulted in the tragic loss of 52 lives.

The final tally revealed Russia receiving 83 votes in favor, a number that fell short of securing a seat. In contrast, Bulgaria received 160 votes, while Albania garnered 123. Russia’s vigorous campaign, which included offering incentives such as grain and arms to smaller nations, failed to garner sufficient support.

Throughout the process, Moscow had voiced its commitment to finding “adequate solutions for human rights issues” and expressed a desire to prevent the council from becoming an “instrument serving the political interests of a specific group of countries,” which was perceived to be a reference to Western nations.

Diplomats speculated that Russia had counted on receiving support from a considerable number of member states, particularly from developing nations, albeit privately. However, these nations appeared to have abstained from voting in favor of Russia publicly to avoid antagonizing Western states.

Russia’s campaign also included accusations that the United States had spearheaded efforts to prevent their return to the council.

Last year, Russia was suspended from the Human Rights Council with 93 members of the UN General Assembly voting in favor, 24 against, and 58 abstaining.

For the next three years starting in 2024, the Human Rights Council will comprise the following countries: Albania, Brazil, Bulgaria, Burundi, China, the Ivory Coast, Cuba, Dominican Republic, France, Ghana, Indonesia, Japan, Kuwait, Malawi, and the Netherlands.

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