Symphysiotomy survivors feel ‘vindicated by UN verdict’

The Survivors of Symphysiotomy group, who have steadfastly refused to subscribe to redress schemes suggested by the Government, described themselves as "vindicated" by a UN report which called for an independent and thorough investigation into the practice and fair and adequate compensation.

Marie O’Connor, chairwoman of Survivors of Symphysiotomy, said: “Today’s verdict from the UN Human Rights Committee is a damning one. It fully vindicates our campaign for truth and justice and exposes the State’s failure to date to provide an effective remedy for this breach of human rights.”

“Serious questions have been raised over the so-called redress scheme. We are calling for an urgent meeting with the minister for health to discuss our core demands, which have now received strong backing from the UN.

“In its latest statement to the UN, the Government claimed that patient consent was given in all cases where the operation was planned. This is a travesty of the truth. No woman ever consented to getting her pelvis broken in childbirth.”

At least 1,500 symphysiotomies were carried out across Ireland from the mid-40s to the mid-80s. The surgery severed the pubic bones, unhinging the pelvis. It is understood that the 18th-century procedure was revived in 1944 as the alternative, Caesarean sections, could limit pregnancies — something which flew in the face of the Catholic culture of the time.

It was also used as a means of training Irish doctors and nurses for overseas postings where such low-cost operations were widely used. Ireland was the only country in the developed world that performed the operation in the 20th century.

The UNHR Committee expressed concern that the practice was carried out without the “free and informed consent” of the women. It said Ireland should “prosecute and punish the perpetrators, including medical personnel, and provide an effective remedy to the survivors of symphysiotomy”.

The Committee also said the Government should facilitate access to judicial remedies for victims opting for the ex-gratia scheme, including allowing a challenge to the sums offered to them under a redress scheme.”

ICCL director, Mark Kelly, said: “These headline recommendations by the UN’s top human rights experts have a root, common cause: The ongoing failure in our law, policy and practice to respect the human rights, autonomy and bodily integrity of women. The ICCL is calling for a full Oireachtas debate on these damning findings, as well as the creation of an effective, national implementation mechanism to ensure that the UN’s recommendations are implemented in full.”

At a press conference yesterday, Marie O’Connor was asked if she wanted to see members of the medical profession prosecuted. She said she would reserve judgment on that.