Robinson’s voice must be heard

IN her role as UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, former Irish President Mary Robinson has never shirked taking on major world powers in her relentless pursuit of justice.

In characteristic manner, she has now come out strongly against America’s bid to dominate the proceedings of the World Development Summit in Johannesburg.

Amid growing fears that key agreements will not be ready before heads of state arrive next week for what should be the climax of the meeting, she has underlined the vital links between poverty and human rights as essential ingredients of sustainable development.