Human Right and Freedom of Expression
And the Right to Access Information of Personal Data
The fundamental right to equality and freedom from discrimination is being abused by powerful institutions such as the Church and Governments not only in Ireland but all over the world.
Basic rights of human beings are brushed aside in order to STOP information being seen and heard by officials from the very people who have suffered at the hands of mother & baby homes, Magdalene laundries, orphanages and industrial schools, and, (Thats the one’s we know off).
Our human rights states that we should have freedom from torture and or degrading treatment, yet, many woman and children who had suffered such atrocities in the above institutions are now being treated as though they were at fault. (All over again).
They are being treated with no respect whatsoever, there is no heartfelt apologies being given by Church or State for the abuse they suffered, mentally, physically or sexually.
Nor have there been any full on apologies or acceptance by the Church or State for illegal stealing/selling of children from their biological mothers, nor for the mental abuse they have caused those children now adults in terms of how they came to understand why they were taken from the said parent/s.
Sadly we are ALL now aware of the hundreds/thousands of children buried in unmarked graves, buried without love or due care.
Many children through illness, even mothers, they were buried by the coldest hearts known to man.
I cannot and will not apologise for my words written because, although I am an outsider, I have a heart (A warm heart)! One that is in full support of ALL survivors of any type of abuse, especially abuse caused by Church and State, the very people who should adhere to our human rights as a nation and worldwide.
The Church and State MUST not only take full acceptance of responsibility, they must apologise, they must give verification of FACTS with full disclosure of the TRUTH, and the law MUST do its duty (A full declaration in judicial sanctions against the perpetrators of human rights violations, a search, for want of a better word, disappeared mothers & children, identification if possible? And reburial of bodies in a dignified manner.
The survivors of the above institutions who have to live with the injustices that were put upon their biological mothers and, which now continue to weigh heavily on their families lives presently with the burden of the UNKNOWN.
They must under no circumstances have to sit back while their own personal data (Which they have a right to) Allow the State to seal it for thirty years, possibly under the guidance of the Church?.
Every human being has the right to know where they came from, they have the right to know what happened to their mothers (If no longer alive, and their siblings).
While many understand that there is an element of privacy which MUST be adhered too, for those mothers and or siblings still alive, there is no reason whatsoever that those particular names and or addresses can’t be blanked out.
However, any other information as to the survivors should NOT remain private, they have made it very clear that they want to know about their past, good or bad, and while they have shouted from the rooftops on many occasions about that fact, it is your DUTY to make that possible under human rights law.
On the 30 of October 2020, the full commission of investigation report is due (Long overdue) There must be nothing hidden in terms of the findings, survivors have the right to know the TRUTH in every aspect of the report.
As an advocate/supporter to the survivors and any other who have suffered historical abuse, even now by any institutions and or individual I fully support their fight for justice.
Belinda Conniss
SOFA TALK MEDIA
belindaconnissofficial.org
