Magdalene Laundries Report Welcomed
05 Feb 2013 in Advocacy, Featured
Dublin, 5 February 2013. Barnardos welcomes the publication of the report into State involvement in the Magdalene Laundries. This report clearly shows the extent to which the State was aware of and benefited from the harsh conditions that these women were forced to work and live in. It catalogues how the State turned a blind eye to the appalling conditions in which Irish citizens lived, while supporting the religious orders who enslaved them in financial and other ways.
Barnardos CEO Fergus Finlay said "the women who were imprisoned in these Laundries suffered appalling and shaming injustices, often for the whole of their lives, and deserve a full unambiguous apology from the Government. These women were treated like slaves and deserve adequate compensation for the work they did while in the laundries and access to appropriate pensions, health care, and other supports. These survivors have waited long enough have their voices heard and we must not ignore them again."
This report arose following continuous lobbying from the Justice for Magdalene's group and a report from the United Nations Committee against Torture which highlighted the plight of this vulnerable group of women and criticised the State’s failure to adequately protect them.
ENDS
For further information, please contact:
Barnardos press office: 01
7080442
Irene Lawlor; 01 7080423, 086
3980441
Rachel Boyce; 01 7080443, 086 3683071
About Barnardos
Barnardos
supports children whose well-being is under threat, by working with them, their
families and communities and by campaigning for the rights of children.
Barnardos was established in Ireland in 1962 and is Ireland’s leading
independent children’s charity. www.barnardos.ie
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