Press release, for immediate release
Dublin, Sunday 24 March 2013
Ireland’s independent human rights watchdog, the Irish Council for Civil Liberties (ICCL) has expressed its profound sadness at the untimely death of its former Board member Chris Robson, whom it described as a “pioneer” of the promotion and protection of gay rights in Ireland.
ICCL Director, Mr Mark Kelly said: “We are profoundly sad to learn of Chris’ untimely death. For most of his life, simply being gay in Ireland was a crime, and he rejoiced in the recent legal changes that flowed from his pioneering activism as a Board member of the ICCL and, more recently, of the Gay and Lesbian Equality Network (GLEN).”
He added, “Chris recently concluded a civil partnership with the man he had loved for 35 years and we sincerely hope that it will soon be possible to say that his legacy also includes the introduction of full civil marriage for same sex couples.”
“Chris had a deep and genuine commitment to human rights, which played itself out in the integrity and decency of his relations with others, including those with whom he profoundly disagreed. His life was a lesson and he will be sorely missed”, Mr Kelly concluded.
ENDS.
For further information, please contact:
Walter Jayawardene
Communications Manager
Irish Council for Civil Liberties
9-13 Blackhall Place
Dublin 7
Ireland
Tel. + 353 1 799 4503
Mob: +353 87 9981574
Fax. + 353 1 799 4512
E-mail walter.jayawardene@iccl.ie