Annual Amnesty International report highlights major issues for Ireland
Ireland's strict abortion laws have come under scrutiny in Amnesty International's annual report.
The "State of the World's Human Rights" report also draws attention to the lack of access to housing and discrimination against Travellers.
Colm O'Gorman from Amnesty International Ireland said: “Once again Ireland’s failure to protect the sexual and reproductive rights of women and girls has been highlighted.
"Ireland’s abortion laws are among the most restrictive in the world. 2018 is an important opportunity for people in Ireland to have their say on this important issue. We are on the cusp of a once-in-a-generation opportunity to use our voices and votes to stand up for the human rights and equality of women and girls.
"We can make a clear statement about the kind of society we want to be where our laws reflect our values of care, compassion and respect."
He added on the general issue of human rights: “The Irish Government must ensure that human rights are at the centre of policy responses to a wider range of issues, including homelessness. Successive governments have failed to meaningfully advance the Constitutional Convention’s recommendation that the Constitution be amended to include economic, social and cultural rights, including the right to housing,”
