NWCI stands alongside survivors of symphysiotomy at decision to shred their medical records

Published: Tuesday, March 15, 2016

NWCI has today expressed grave concern that the accessor to the symphysiotomy scheme, Maureen Harding Clark, has reaffirmed her intention to shred applicants unclaimed records after March 20th.

Orla O’Connor, Director of NWCI said: “These records constitute evidence of human rights abuses and must not be destroyed. In 2014 the UN Human Rights Committee found the practice constituted torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment. The UN Committee recommended that Ireland carry out an independent investigation and prosecute and punish the perpetrators including medical personnel.”

Jacqueline Healy, Health and Human Rights Co-Coordinator said: “This practice was in violation of women’s human rights and the destroying of records is an attempt to silence the survivors. NWCI would support the call from Survivors of Symphysiotomy (SOS) to an independent inquiry from the State and in order for this inquiry to be informed and to be effective, survivors must be entitled to hold onto their records.”

Orla O’Connor concluded: “NWCI would further support the call of SOS to return all records to all applicants by post and seek their consent to archiving them so they can be made available to future investigators and researchers. NWCI call on the government to initiating a prompt, independent and thorough investigation into cases of symphysiotomy and show a commitment to establishing the truth behind these destructive and involuntary surgeries so that the survivors of symphysiotomy can achieve truth and justice.”

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