60 Years, 30 Perspectives: Ireland and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights

galway | rights, freedoms and repression | event notice Friday September 11, 2009 14:02 by Amnesty Galway - Amnesty International

Galway book launch in the Amnesty Cafe

Galway Book Launch ‘60 years, 30 perspectives: Ireland and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights’

With Colm O’ Gorman Executive Director Amnesty International Ireland and Speakers From the Irish Centre for Human Rights NUIG
Amnesty International Freedom Café 2-3 Middle St. Galway.
Friday 18th Sept 6.30 PM

New Amnesty book brings human rights home

Thirty leading social commentators have contributed to a unique book by Amnesty International reflecting on the relevance of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights to modern Irish society.

60 years, 30 perspectives: Ireland and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights features among others Dr Diarmaid Martin, Emily O’Reilly, Niall Crowley, Justin Kilcullen and Fr Peter McVerry.

“ In the midst of an economic recession, political upheaval and distrust in the institutions of the past, 60 years, 30 perspectives offers a fresh and timely critique of modern Ireland. Using the Universal Declaration of Human Rights as it’s touchstone the book challenges readers to question whether or not we have a free press in Ireland, why trafficking in human beings is tolerated if slavery is not and why children and people living in poverty are still voiceless in our society”, said Colm O’Gorman, Executive Director of Amnesty International Ireland.

60 years, 30 perspectives was edited by Galway based lecturer Donncha O’Connell from the faculty of Law at NUIG. Mr O’Connell, a well-known human rights activist and media commentator is a former Director of the Irish Council for Civil Liberties and the senior Irish member of the legal expert group that advises the EU fundamental rights agency. The book features also features contributions from Dr Kathleen Kavanagh and Dr Vinodh Jaichand both from the Irish Centre for Human Rights in NUI Galway.

The publication will receive its official Galway Launch on Friday 18th September in the Amnesty Freedom Café 2-3 Middle Street. At the launch, which is open to the public, Colm O’ Gorman will host a discussion on protecting human rights in times of recession featuring speakers from amongst those who contributed to the book.
All are welcome to attend and admission is free of charge.

Published by New Island, 60 years, 30 perspectives retails at €20 and is on sale in the Amnesty International Freedom Café ,and all good bookshops nationwide or can be ordered directly from Amnesty International www.amnesty.ie/60years.

All other enquiries to Sarah Clancy, Campaigns officer, Amnesty International Galway. sclancy@amnesty.ie