Justice for Magdalene’s Event

Published: Wednesday, June 23, 2010

UCC Women's Studies Seminar

1.00pm Monday 28th June, 2010

Dr James Smith
(English Department & Irish Studies Program, Boston College)

"Justice for Magdalenes: State Complicity and Constitutional Rights"

Venue: O'Rahilly Building Room 101

All welcome

James Smith is the author of the book Ireland's Magdalen Laundries and the Nation's Architecture of Containment (Manchester University Press, 2008)

He is also involved with "Justice for Magdalenes", a survivor advocacy organisation campaigning on behalf of women formerly incarcerated in Magdalene Laundries. He has supported the group in discussions with a range of government departments and, during next week, will meet with the Irish Human Rights Commission, Amnesty International Ireland, and members of the Catholic Hierarchy to discuss JFM's ongoing campaign.

His talk on Monday 28th will focus on the State's constitutional and human rights obligations towards the survivor community.

There is a range of interesting material and a petition on the Justice for Magdalenes website at: http://www.magdalenelaundries.com/

Fintan O'Toole wrote a powerful article on this issue in the Irish Times, Tue 15 June, 2010http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/opinion/2010/0615/1224272520016.html )