2nd UN Committee Criticizes Vatican

You may remember the U.N. Committee on the Rights of the Child concluded in February that the Vatican systematically placed its own interests over those of victims by enabling priests to rape and molest tens of thousands of children through a code of silence.

We explored all the issues here
https://eurofree3.wordpress.com/2014/02/06/whens-a-non-state-state-a-state/

They all came up again in this new investigation.

In 2002 the Vatican ratified another UN Convention –  the Convention against Torture

Comment: Business is business

It was called  before the UN panel as part of a regularly scheduled series of hearings to monitor implementation of the Convention

 

Claudio Grossman, Chairperson of the Committee against Torture

The United Nations Committee Against Torture asked  the Vatican about
1) past policy decisions,
2) the juridical distinction between the Holy See and Vatican City,

Query: How come you are a State or a Religious Institution when it suits you?

3) information on specific cases because

“We have received numerous allegations of intimidation of witnesses and shifting of finances to avoid payment (of compensation),”

It criticized the Vatican, charging it with
1) failing to mandate that abuse charges be reported to police,
2) moving clergy to evade discipline, and
3) failing to see that victims obtain adequate compensation.

Experts reject the Vatican argument that it only exercises control over city state and is not accountable for priests’ actions worldwide

 

“We’re not saying that any sexual abuse is equivalent to a form of torture. We need to see the circumstances. The issue here is the responsibility of a state,” said  Claudio Grossman. “A responsibility of a state comes into play if there was no prevention or there was no investigation and punishment.“

“The Holy See is a sovereign, which like all other sovereigns, must be accountable for violations of human rights. SNAP’s action under the ICC is timely and appropriate. If successful, it will secure more protection for children not just against the Holy See, but all sovereigns.” – Marci A. Hamilton, Paul R. Verkuil Chair in Public Law Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law Yeshiva University

The Committee advocated a permanent investigation system to end a

“climate of impunity” prevailing for decades.

Special Mention
Once again the so-called Magdalene laundries in Ireland, take pride of place!

https://eurofree3.wordpress.com/2014/02/03/the-way-we-were-single-mums/

The panel asked the Vatican to ensure that victims “receive fair, adequate and enforceable compensation and as full rehabilitation as possible, regardless of whether perpetrators of such acts have been brought to justice.”

Comment: Don’t hold your breath waiting

The cases were brought to

the international crimimal court (ICC) by the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP). Here’s what they had to say about the decision

The U.N. committee’s final observations aren’t legally binding, but states that have ratified the treaty are expected to take them into consideration and implement them.

You can read the whole report here http://ccrjustice.org/files/CAT_C_VAT_CO_1_17271_E.pdf

Comment: “To face one UN panel may be regarded as a misfortune, to face two looks like being unmasked.”

http://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2014/05/22/second-panel-criticzes-vatican-sex-abuse/YuX300eGKJYDNUPVdTXcmJ/story.html
http://uk.reuters.com/article/2014/05/05/uk-pope-abuse-idUKKBN0DL0RF20140505
http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702303749904579579713678197346?mg=reno64-wsj&url=http%3A%2F%2Fonline.wsj.com%2Farticle%2FSB10001424052702303749904579579713678197346.html
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/may/23/un-committee-against-torture-vatican-sex-abuse-scandal
http://www.newsday.com/news/nation/un-torture-panel-slams-vatican-on-priest-sex-abuse-scandal-1.8166020
http://www.snapnetwork.org/
http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/cifamerica/2011/sep/17/pope-clergy-sex-abuse-hague
http://www.press.uchicago.edu/ucp/books/book/chicago/S/bo16668069.html

http://www.virtual-hideout.com/2011/12/surprise-box-for-iphone-is-full-of.html