Concern at cuts to human rights bodies

AN independent United Nations expert has warned funding cuts to human rights bodies is substantially reducing Ireland’s capacity to protect the vulnerable in society.

Magdalena Sepulveda Carmona, who undertook a review of human rights and extreme poverty in Ireland earlier this year, said our economic and financial crises have “wrought havoc” on the country, with increasing numbers unemployed, living in poverty and suffering social exclusion.

She warned that measures being taken to lift Ireland out of its current economic slump are ‘concerning’ from a human rights perspective.