EUROPE'S TOP human rights watchdog has criticised the Government for failing to adequately protect children under State care and refusing to legislate on abortion. JAMIE SMYTH, European Correspondent reports
The first comprehensive report on Ireland's human rights record carried out by the Council of Europe warns that many foreign national children are in "danger of being trafficked for exploitation" because they get insufficient care at State-provided accommodation. It expresses "deep concern" about the large numbers of children who have already gone missing from these centres, which mainly house asylum seekers.
It also criticises the continued practice of placing child offenders in prisons alongside adults.
The 58-page report was compiled following a visit to Ireland last November by Thomas Hammarberg, human rights commissioner at the Council of Europe. He met senior politicians, including Taoiseach Bertie Ahern, and non-governmental agencies (NGOs). He also visited State institutions and care centres.
His report presents a comprehensive picture of deficiencies in policies to protect the rights of children, asylum seekers, racial minorities and women. It also focuses on the impact of anti-terrorism measures and the justice system on the rights of citizens, refugees and asylums seekers.
The report also criticises the refusal of politicians to legislate to clarify the conditions under which abortion is legal following the 1992 Supreme Court "X" case judgment.
In a response to the report the Government said it would consider carefully the commissioner's recommendations. It also detailed a range of recent initiatives to improve human rights, including the appointment of a children's ombudsman. The commissioner's report is not legally binding but carries moral authority.