Ahern, Robinson to address human rights conference

An international conference examining how human rights have been eroded following September 11 begins in Dublin Castle today.

The Taoiseach opens the conference and will outline Ireland's role in the area of human rights.

UN Human Rights Commissioner Mary Robinson is also due to speak, and will be the focus of much attention, following her warning to the US that the rights of Afghan prisoners must be safeguarded.

The conference is being organised by Frontline, a group which aims to protect human rights workers whose lives are at risk because of their jobs.