McDonald calls on Justice Minister to address serious concerns raised by UNCAT on the Magdalene’s Inter-Departmental Committee Report
Speaking
in the Dáil this afternoon Sinn Féin Deputy Leader Mary Lou McDonald TD today
called on the Justice Minister to address the very serious concerns raised by
UNCAT regarding the Magdalene Laundries Inter-Departmental Committee Report.
The Dublin TD said:
“The United Nations Committee Against Torture (UNCAT) monitors implementation
of the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading
Treatment or Punishment by its State parties
“UNCAT recently wrote to the Minister for Justice setting out a number of very
serious concerns regarding the Magdalene Laundries Inter-Departmental Committee
Report.
“Concerns raised by Felice D Gaer, follow up Rapporteur, states that the
Inter-Departmental report lacked many elements of a prompt, independent and
thorough investigation, as recommended by UNCAT in its Concluding Observations.
“She also notes that the report did not conduct a full independent
investigation into allegations of arbitrary detention, forced labour or
ill-treatment despite the State receiving extensive survivor testimony in the
form of reports by Justice for Magdalenes. In addition she notes the State was
aware of the existence of possible criminal wrongdoings, including physical and
psychological abuse.
“This is a deeply serious matter as the work of Mr. Justice Quirke has been
confined to the parameters of the Magdalene Laundries Inter-Departmental
Committee Report, a report based on significantly incomplete information.
Minister Shatter needs to respond to UNCAT's concerns as a matter of urgency.”