Cowen urged to show leadership on human rights

The Irish branch of Amnesty International is calling on new Taoiseach Brian Cowen to show leadership in improving Ireland's human rights record.

The organisation was speaking to mark the launch of its latest annual report, which says people are still being tortured or ill-treated in at least 81 countries.

Amnesty says Ireland is failing to uphold human rights in many areas, including the prison system, the mental health system and the suspected use of Shannon Airport for so-called CIA torture flights.