Amnesty report criticises Ireland’s abortion services and housing crisis

Opinion
24 Apr 24

Housing crisis protest at the Dail organised by David Keenan. Wednesday 30th of August 2023. Copyright Miguel Ruiz.

The State of the World's Human Rights report, published today, notes that over 4000 children are living in emergency homelessness accommodations, as the government fails to address the housing crisis

The new Amnesty International report, which assesses human rights in 155 countries, has highlighted Ireland’s housing crisis as well as its failure to implement key aspects of abortion provision and care since the Repeal of the Eighth Amendment in 2018.

The organisation called the growing number of people forced into homelessness a “stain on Ireland’s reputation,” identifying “significant failings” in the country and noting that over 4000 children are currently living in emergency homeless accommodations.

Stephen Bowen, Executive Director of Amnesty International Ireland, called this situation “appalling”, highlighting that “this is due to failure after failure by government after government to afford the people of Ireland adequate housing rights protections.”

He added that “housing has been treated as a private investment opportunity, not as a social good and a human right that everyone has a right to enjoy.”

Ireland's housing crisis is a human rights crisis. The government has failed on housing in Ireland and urgent action is needed to address this human rights crisis.

That's according to our State of the World's Human Right report, released today.https://t.co/c2HLhYnzvr

— Amnesty Ireland (@AmnestyIreland) April 24, 2024

Bowen also said that gaps in abortion law and practice needed to be addressed urgently: “Healthcare is a human right. Too many pregnant women are still having to travel overseas and being stigmatised, and the fact that some health care professionals are refusing to provide a health service on the basis of conscience is unacceptable.”

The report highlighted concerns about refugees’ and migrants’ rights on the island, specifically how they are being impacted by the housing crisis. It also made mention of the Irish Data Protection Commission’s failure to hold Big Tech companies accountable.

Finally, it put a spotlight on the lack of progress made in addressing restrictions imposed by the Electoral Act 1997 on the freedom of civil society organisations to access funding for campaigning purposes.