Letter to Santa done? Now try this

national | crime and justice | news report

Monday December 19, 2005 12:08

by A correspondent writes

Want to tell the UN how seriously Ireland takes its duty to fight torture? In case you missed your opportunity, here it comes knocking again.

The Dept of Justice is asking (quietly) for comments from the public on how Ireland is fulfilling its duties under the Convention against Torture. The advert for this appeared in a newspaper last week and the deadline expires just a week in to the New Year. Looks like a carefully chosen timescale to me, middle of the holiday rush, unlikely to be spotted and so unlikely to be taken up by people who might have troubling comments to make about Shannon and rendition - or how our Courts seem unable to make the Government abide by international law no matter what the Convention or the Constitutution say.

Maybe the Committee might recommend extending the time for comment and might publicise the opportunity with a bit of vigour. You won't even find the advert on the Dept of Justice website. And the convoluted email address given for submissions is almost guaranteed to trip up the unwary typist. See ad text copied below:

'The Dept of Justice Equality and Law Reform is currently preparing the First National Report by Ireland as required under Section 19 of the UN International Convention aganst Torture and Other Cruel Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment ....the Dept. now wishes to invite submissions from interested parties on the above matter. Submissions should be made in writing or by email and should be confined to the above matter.

Submissions should be made before 9 January 2006. Send to Room 304, Dept. of Justice Equality and Law Reform, Shelbourne Rd., Ballsbridge, Dubln 4 or to Prisons_Policy_INBOX@justice.ie.

Note: the text of the Convention is available electronically from www.ohchr.org/english/law.htm. The legislation which gave effect to it in Ireland is the Criminal Justice (United Nations Convention against Torture) Act 2000 (no 11 of 2000) available from www. irishstatutebook.ie or www.oireachteas.ie'.

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Comments (6 of 6)

what newspaper was that in?

by curious

Mon Dec 19, 2005 13:22

I want to see a copy of that to see how far in it was buried....

Direct links to text of Irish and International Acts

by Margaret

Mon Dec 19, 2005 15:59

The Irish Act
Criminal Justice (United Nations Convention Against Torture) Act, 2000
http://www.oireachtas.ie/documents/bills28/acts/2000/a1100.pdf

The United Nations Act
http://www.ohchr.org/english/law/pdf/cat.pdf

Other Cruel Inhuman or Degrading Treatment - weapons of mass destruction used in Iraq

by Dr. Coilín Oscar ÓhAiseadha

Mon Dec 19, 2005 18:53

How about the use of white phosphorus during last November's offensive in Fallujah? Nay, how about the very presence of American troops in Iraq? Does anybody doubt that some of the troops and equipment that passed through Shannon were deployed in the forced evacuation and destruction of Fallujah? Painfully reminiscent of Anfal and Halabja.

I would say that Ireland has collaborated in the cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment of the entire population of Iraq by permitting Shannon Airport to be used to pursue the war.

Best,
Coilín.

Read the notice on the www.justice.ie

by Coilín

Mon Dec 19, 2005 19:08

A correspondent writes wrote:
"You won't even find the advert on the Dept of Justice website."

Actually, I had no difficulty finding it. Here's how:

Go to www.justice.ie
Click the Search button.
Enter these words: Other Cruel Inhuman or Degrading
Hit the Return key.

I then get the following:
Search Results:
Date Title
19 Dec 2005 Public Invitation for Submissions - Ireland's First Report on the United Nations International Convention Against Torture & Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (PDF 56KB)

http://www.justice.ie/80256DFF005F2D06/$$Search?OpenForm&Seq=1
OR
http://tinyurl.com/ayrad

Thanks for advising us of this!

Best,
Coilín.

Santa Letter

by Con Carroll - Class War

Wed Dec 21, 2005 15:13

Having heard on RTE news that Mary Mc Aleese has invited queen elizabeth to Ireland,
during her visit to Belfast

I wrote a letter to santa,
asking santa for a bow up doll in the image of her magesty for aldult pleasure
in anticipation of her visit to Ireland in 2006
how many men did she bring to their knees.

Con

by Liberal

Wed Dec 21, 2005 15:39

I thought you would welcome the Queen. She might Knight you for sevices to HM Government. Class War have always played a great role in dividing campaigns and causing provocations.

Whats a 'bow up doll'?

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Letter to Santa done? Now try this

Comments (6 of 6)