Michael D Higgins: Mother-and-baby homes a ‘violation of rights’

IRELAND
BBC News

January 15, 2021

Irish President Michael D Higgins has described what occurred in the country’s mother-and-baby homes as a “violation of fundamental rights” of Irish citizens.

The institutions housed women and girls who became pregnant outside marriage in the 19th and 20th Centuries.

A report published on Tuesday found an “appalling level of infant mortality”.

“State and Church bear a heavy responsibility for this,” said Mr Higgins.

About 9,000 children died in the 18 institutions under investigation.

The Irish government said the report revealed the country had a “stifling, oppressive and brutally misogynistic culture”.

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