Magdalene Survivors 'Still Waiting for Apology'

Irish Examiner
May 28, 2012

http://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/ireland/magdalene-survivors-still-waiting-for-apology-553184.html


[with video]

The Justice for Magdalenes group said today that survivors of abuse are still waiting for an apology, one year on from a UN reccommendation.

Women who were affected by abuse at the Magdalene laundries are also yet to receive any redress or reparation.

The support group is today submitting its NGO follow-up to the United Nations Committee Against Torture in Geneva.

As part of this process, the Irish State is required to report back on measures taken to put last June's recommendations in place.

JFM's report welcomes the establishment of an inter-departmental committee to clarify state interaction with the Magdalene Laundries, but says it has so far failed to deliver the "prompt, thorough and independent" investigation called for by UNCAT.

JFM says it looks forward to the publication of the Committee's report, due by mid-2012.

Maeve O'Rourke, JFM Advisory Committee member, who represented JFM at UNCAT in Geneva and is speaking at today's event said: "Our report states clearly that the government has failed to implement the UNCAT Recommendation, which called on the state to ensure that Magdalene survivors obtain redress and to establish an independent investigation into the full extent of the abuse. We acknowledge the important work of Senator McAleese's Committee, however, it should not impede the women's access to an apology and redress, and we also reserve the right to call for a fully independent inquiry with statutory powers to compel evidence."