IRISH prisons are outdated, underfunded and understaffed, according to prison officers who say a report by an international human rights agency backs their concerns about their dangerous working conditions.

FOLLOWING a special meeting of the Violence Against Women (VAW) non-governmental sector, we strongly rejected the recently announced COSC: the Irish Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence (Irish Examiner, May 17).

I WAS interested to read the letter by Fiona Crowley, of Amnesty International Ireland (Irish Examiner letters, January 3), in which she outlined the organisation’s position on the use of forced psychiatric interventions involving electroconvulsive ‘therapy’ (ECT).

I WISH to respond to Seán Fleming who states that people can be “forced to… undergo electroconvulsive ‘therapy’ ” (ECT), and that “human rights organisations like Amnesty International refuse to condemn this” (Irish Examiner letters, December 5).

THE causes of deep-seated, that is, clinical, depression and the remedies for such depression are troubling matters for us all.

IRELAND is complicit in CIA torture operations, Labour MEP Proinsias De Rossa warned last night.

The Government is being of accused of failing to respond properly to an investigation by the Council of Europe into CIA flights.

The Irish branch of Amnesty International has called on the Government to provide more resources for services that help female victims of domestic violence.

REFLECTING the diverse contributions of women in modern society, International Women’s Day was marked throughout the country yesterday through words, art, music and expressions of solidarity.

The Irish branch of Amnesty International has called on the Government to provide more resources to Ireland's mental health services.

MORE than 1,800 people were locked up in Irish prisons under immigration laws last year, including almost 400 who spent as much time in detention as the two Waterford men in the US.

The Irish branch of Amnesty International has criticised the State's policy of imprisoning non-nationals who are facing deportation.

On International Migrant's Day, the The Immigrant Council of Ireland and the Migrant's Right Centre are calling for ratification on the UN Migrant Worker's Convention.

Amnesty International has added its voice to the cacophony of opposition to the Government's proposed new immigration legislation.

THE establishment of a new Government expert group on mental health policy received a broad welcome last night from human rights organisations and the disability lobby.

Amnesty International and the Simon Community have accused the Government of neglecting international human rights obligations in failing to tackle the needs of homeless people who are experiencing mental health problems.

DISABILITY campaigners yesterday accused the Government of widespread and indiscriminate cuts to vital services.

UP TO 40 groups representing the mentally ill will hold a crisis meeting today to draw up a list of demands for improvements in mental health services.

DISABILITY groups yesterday accused Tánaiste Mary Harney of being disingenuous after she called on business leaders to employ people with disabilities.

Amnesty International has accused the Government of ignoring international reports criticising its lack of action on care for the mentally ill.