A misogynist state

AFTER the Nazi medical experiments on human beings, the Nuremberg code was drawn up to prevent such barbarity happening again. At its core was that anybody being subjected to medical experiments must give their consent.

The treatment of 1,500 victims of symphysiotomy — a medical experiment to make sure women would have as many babies as possible — was in breach of this code as the women were not asked for permission.

The UN Human Rights Committee this week accused Ireland of being responsible for torturing these women, and failing to take responsibility for the crime.