The Government should set up a statutory investigation into
allegations of torture and degrading treatment against women committed
to Magdalene Laundries.
It should also punish the perpetrators and
provide redress to the women who suffered, the United Nations Committee
Against Torture has recommended.
In a report detailing its
"concluding observations" on Ireland's record of protecting the rights
of those in detention, the committee has also strongly criticised the
State's "inadequate" response to alleged reports that it cooperated with
rendition flights.
The report, which was published Monday morning
following two days of hearings before the committee in Geneva last
month, also criticises the conditions in Irish prisons, the treatment of
asylum seekers and the State's failure to prosecute anyone from
evidence gathered in the Ryan report into abuse of children in
residential institutions.
In a series of recommendations regarding
the alleged committal of women to Magdalene Laundries, the committee
says it is "gravely concerned" at the failure by the State party to
protect the girls and women.
It criticises the State for failing to
regulate or inspect the laundries, where it is alleged physical,
emotional abuses and other ill-treatment were committed.
These may have
amounted to violations of the UN convention against torture, according
the report.
"The Committee also expresses grave concern at the
failure by the State party to institute prompt, independent and thorough
investigation into the allegations of ill-treatment perpetrated on
girls and women in the Magdalene Laundries," it says.
The committee
recommends the State institute "prompt, independent, and thorough
investigations into all allegations of torture, and other cruel, inhuman
or degrading treatment or punishment".
It says in appropriate
cases, it should prosecute and punish the perpetrators with penalties
commensurate with the gravity of the offences committed. It should also
ensure that all victims obtain redress and have an enforceable right to
compensation including the means for as full rehabilitation, says the
report.
Minister for Justice Alan Shatter is expected to announce how the Government plans to respond to the Magdalene
Laundry issue.
At the committee hearing in Geneva last month
Department of Justice secretary general Seán Aylward said the State
couldn't "rewrite its history" with regard to the Magdalene laundries.
"Some
of the issues that are raised and looked at in the Ryan report and that
have been raised in relation to the Magdalene laundries relate to a
very distant, far-off time," said Mr Aylward in his initial response to
the committee's questions and observations.
"Many of the people
who suffered in that period or were victims of it are no longer with us
and it would be very difficult for the State to rewrite its history or
right the wrongs that were done," he said.