ICCL (Irish Council for Civil Liberties) director Mark Kelly and Marie O’Connor, chairof the Survivors of Symphysiotomy this morning.
The Irish Council for Civil Liberties writes:
The unanimous rejection of the scheme came via a ballot by members of the Survivors of Symphysiotomy group held during Extraordinary General Meetings in Cork and Dublin over the weekend (27 and 28 September 2014). The scheme, which was presented to members of SoS earlier this month by Minister for Health Dr Leo Varadkar TD, proposes a baseline ex-gratia payment of €50,000 for each survivor who can provide proof of surgery, with higher payments for women who can show they suffer from a complex array of injuries that were caused directly by symphysiotomy.
Marie O’Connor, Chairperson of Survivors of Symphysiotomy, which represents 99 per cent of casualties of this 18th century childbirth operation, said:
“Our members have voted unanimously to reject the unfair and unjust scheme as outlined to us by the Minister for Health. This is an ex gratia scheme that admits of no wrongdoing on the part of the State and offers utterly inadequate levels of restitution for the physical and mental suffering that has blighted so many lives.”
“The Government has never engaged meaningfully with Survivors of Symphysiotomy. Not alone was this scheme presented to us as a fait accompli but it flouts key recommendations made by the UN. Survivors of Symphysiotomy is united in its opposition to this unacceptable scheme and will support efforts by its members to achieve truth and justice through the courts.”
ICCL Director Mr Mark Kelly adds:
“This scheme willfully ignores some of Ireland’s most fundamental obligations under international human rights law. It forces survivors to choose between compensation and justice. It contains no measures to get to the truth of how and why these barbaric operations took place. It also lacks any measures to bring those responsible to account.”
Rights groups reject symphysiotomy redress proposals that “flout” human rights standards (ICCL)
Off topic… but mildly related….
Anyone watching ‘The Knick’ with Clive Owen. Three episodes in and lovin’ it!
Fair fupping play to these women. That decision took real courage.
Also, why can’t we ever just do the right thing by people?? It’s so depressing that justice in this country always seems to be this same shameful uphill battle.