people accessed abortion care in 2019, up from 32 in 2018. UK Department of Health and Social Care statistics published in June showed 375 women travelled from Ireland to access abortion services in England and Wales in 2019. This highlighted remaining gaps and barriers, such as the lack of lawful access in cases of severe rather than fatal foetal impairments.
INTERNATIONAL SCRUTINY In November, the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture published the report of its 2019 periodic visit to Ireland. It welcomed the recent policy abolishing solitary confinement, but recommended measures to ensure de facto solitary confinement was addressed. Amongst its concerns was the continued unsuitable placing of immigration detainees in prison together with remand and convicted prisoners, where in some cases they were subjected to abuse and bullying. While finding very good access to health care, the Committee noted poor conditions and inadequate treatment in high support units for prisoners with mental health problems. Another major concern was the rising number of homeless people with severe mental health problems ending up in prison. The Committee also found the complaints system available to prisoners not fit for purpose.
RIGHTS OF REFUGEES AND ASYLUMSEEKERS Following longstanding concerns about poor living conditions, mental health impacts, isolation, and lack of dignity and privacy in the Direct Provision system for accommodating international protection seekers, the new government in June committed to replacing it with a more human rights-compliant housing model. In October, a government-appointed Advisory Group made recommendations for a long-term approach to the provision of housing and support, as well as improvements in the international protection process. The
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government undertook to publish a policy document outlining its reform plans.
RIGHT TO HOUSING The new government committed to scheduling a constitutional referendum on housing. However, it was not clear if this would propose enshrining a right to housing, as had been recommended by the government-established Constitutional Convention in 2014.
RIGHTS OF SEX WORKERS A study published by HIV Ireland in September found that the 2017 law criminalizing the purchase of sex had a negative impact on the safety, health and well-being of sex workers. In September, the government commissioned an independent expert to review the operation of this law. This law had also retained the criminal offence of ‘‘brothelkeeping’’, which continued to impact sex workers’ human rights. The report of this review was expected in 2021. 1. Gardai’s use of spit hoods may increase risk of spread of COVID-19 (Press release, 25 June)
ISRAEL AND THE OCCUPIED PALESTINIAN TERRITORIES State of Israel Head of state: Reuven Rivlin Head of government: Benjamin Netanyahu
Israel continued to impose institutionalized discrimination against Palestinians living under its rule in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPT). It displaced hundreds of Palestinians in Israel and the occupied West Bank, including East
Amnesty International Report 2020/21
