Following publication of the Queen’s University/ Ulster University Report, Mother and Baby Homes and Magdalene Laundries in Northern Ireland, 1922-1990, (Click Here for the NI Executive Summary and Full Report) the Northern Ireland Executive agreed to establish an independent investigation/ inquiry into the Homes and Laundries in Northern Ireland.
To that end the Executive appointed a three-person Panel to work alongside victims and survivors of the institutions and their families to explore options for an investigation/ inquiry. This ‘co-design’ process is to be completed by the end of September 2021.
The Independent Panel was appointed in March. It is chaired by Deirdre Mahon (Qualified and experienced Social Worker/Youth and Community worker) and its members are Dr Maeve O’Rourke (a Barrister and Lecturer in Human Rights, National University of Ireland, Galway) and Prof Phil Scraton (Emeritus Professor, School of Law, Queen’s University, Belfast).
Click Here for the details of the Truth Design Panel Members
The Panel will work with victims, survivors and their families, some but not all of whom are members of campaign organisations and/or are legally represented. Together, they will establish the preferred option for a future investigation/ inquiry and specify its Terms of Reference. The recommendations will be submitted to the Northern Ireland Executive and published.
The ‘co-design’ process also will engage with the academic team responsible for the initial report. It welcomes submissions from human rights organisations and independent researchers.
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