Europe fears for human rights in budget aftermath

BUDGET cuts are putting human rights at risk for a range of people including children and the elderly, Europe’s main human rights body has warned.

At a time of economic crisis it is more important than ever to make sure the most vulnerable were protected, and cutting back on this would only cost society more in the long term, the Strasbourg-based Council of Europe said.

The warnings came following an in-depth investigation by their human rights commissioner Thomas Hammarberg, who, during a visit to Ireland in June, spoke to government departments, NGOs, ombudsmen and others.