Ireland’s human rights record tainted by rendition and failure to protect children

IRELAND has been highlighted by human rights group Amnesty International for failing to protect vulnerable children and the mentally ill and resisting probes into United States intelligence agencies’ use of Shannon Airport.

The group’s annual international report published yesterday includes Ireland in a country-by-country analysis of more than 150 nations and territories with varying degrees of commitment to the protection of human rights.

The report notes with approval the recent establishment of the Garda Ombudsman Commission and Cosc, the Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence, as well as the drafting of legislation outlawing human trafficking and imposing controls on the export of goods and services for military use.