Ireland’s examination by the UN Committee against Torture is being broadcast live right now here and embedded below. More details here.
The examination takes place this morning, Mon 23 May, and resumes tomorrow afternoon, Tues 24 May. Both sessions will be broadcast live online.
Full details about the Irish government delegation present at the UN’s Palais [...]

Pirooz Daneshmandi talks to Kathleen Lynch, Professor of Equality Studies at U.C.D in an interview which was originally broadcast on Near FM on the 20th of April.
Pirooz discusses the topic of Professor Lynch’s book Equality: From Theory to Action, as well as broader issues of equality in a neoliberal society, the marketisation of education and [...]

Equality Studies at UCD invites applications for the following Postgraduates Programmes:

Grad Certificate in Equality Studies
Professional Certificate in Social Justice
Graduate Diploma in Equality Studies
M.Sc. in Equality Studies
PhD in Equality Studies

Equality Studies is unique. It is the only programme of its kind in Europe, addressing a wide range of equality, human rights, global justice and feminist issues.
Our [...]

Transgression of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights is considered a serious breach of freedom. Citing national interest and security, political leaders are inundating their citizens with a xenophobic and racist rant which is void of ideology, instead reflecting prejudice with the premise of leaders being in harmony with the people.
Conveniently forgetting that humanity is [...]

The Economic Costs of Health
The swingeing cuts in health funding that have been - and continue to be - implemented over the past couple of years have seriously debilitated the public health service. Its overall prognosis continues to decline as does the outlook for those of us obliged to avail of its failing facilities. Even [...]

The old adage that children should be seen and not heard seems to have been a mantra taken to heart by some members of the political establishment in the run up to the recent general election. As the narrative of the election was dominated by discussions around the country’s fiscal meltdown, children’s issues were reduced [...]

The fifth report on Ireland from the Council of Europe Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Degrading Treatment (CPT), published today, is the most critical yet, and a damning indictment of a prison system that is failing to meet the most basic human rights standards of safe and humane custody. The Irish Penal Reform [...]

Joint statement ISSUED BY:
Irish Penal Reform Trust
Barnardos
Eddie Darcy, Catholic Youth Care
Children’s Rights Alliance
Irish Association for Young People in Care
Jesuit Centre for Faith and Justice
Catherine Ghent, solicitor
Dr. Ursula Kilkelly, UCC
Fr. Peter McVerry, Peter McVerry Trust
Young offenders’ capacity for rehabilitation is being undermined by imprisonment in St Patrick’s Institution and urgent action is required to minimize the [...]

Darwin Day
Saturday next, the 12th of February, will mark the 202nd anniversary of Charles Darwin’s birth and 152 years since the publication of On the Origin of Species. Every year organisations around the world celebrate this day by commemorating the works and life of Darwin. However, Darwin Day is also an occasion for highlighting the [...]

6,681 imprisoned for non-payment of fines as legislation awaits full commencement
The Irish Penal Reform Trust, Ireland’s leading penal reform campaign organisation, has today expressed concern at the soaring numbers continuing to be sentenced to imprisonment for failure to pay fines, despite the signing of the Fines Act 2010 into law on 2nd June 2010. The [...]