Mary Therese Winifred Robinson (Máire Mhic Róibín; ; born 21 May 1944) is an Irish independent politician who served as the seventh President of Ireland from December 1990 to September 1997, becoming the first woman to hold this office.
She was a member of the European members of the Trilateral Commission. In 2004, she received Amnesty International's Ambassador of Conscience Award for her work in promoting human rights. == Background == Born Mary Therese Winifred Bourke in Ballina, County Mayo, in 1944, she is the daughter of two medical doctors.
After some consideration, she agreed to become the first Labour nominee for the presidency and the first woman candidate in what was only the second presidential election to be contested by three candidates since 1945. ==Presidential candidacy== ===Beating Noel Browne to the nomination=== Few, even in the Labour Party, gave Robinson much chance of winning the presidency, not least because of an internal party row over her nomination.
Browne was a household name for having done more than anybody else in Ireland in tackling tuberculosis during the 1950s.
Like Robinson, he had delivered liberal policy reform (abolished censorship in the 1960s, for example). When the campaign began, Lenihan was seen as a near certainty to win the presidency.
She was therefore born into a family that was a historical mix of rebels against and servants of the British Crown. Mary Bourke attended Mount Anville Secondary School in Dublin and studied law at Trinity College Dublin (where she was elected a scholar in 1965, the same year as David Norris) graduating in 1967 with first class honours.
Charles Haughey, who was Taoiseach when she was elected, had a diffident relationship with her, at one stage preventing her from delivering the prestigious BBC Dimbleby Lecture. In the previous 52 years, only one address to the Oireachtas (parliament) had taken place, by President Éamon de Valera in 1966, on the fiftieth anniversary of the Easter Rising.
She was therefore born into a family that was a historical mix of rebels against and servants of the British Crown. Mary Bourke attended Mount Anville Secondary School in Dublin and studied law at Trinity College Dublin (where she was elected a scholar in 1965, the same year as David Norris) graduating in 1967 with first class honours.
An outspoken critic of some Catholic church teachings, she delivered her inaugural address as the auditor of the Dublin University Law Society in 1967 in which she advocated removing the prohibition of divorce in the Irish Constitution, eliminating the ban on the use of contraceptives, and decriminalising homosexuality and suicide.
She was called to the Irish Bar in 1967 and while still in her twenties was appointed Reid Professor of Law in the college.
She furthered her studies at the King's Inns and was awarded a fellowship to attend Harvard Law School, receiving an LL.M in 1968.
She also served as United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights from 1997 to 2002 and a Senator for the University of Dublin from 1969 to 1989.
However, she first hit national headlines as one of University of Dublin's three members of Seanad Éireann to which she was first elected, as an Independent Senator, in 1969.
She became a member of the Bar of England and Wales in 1973 and a senior counsel in Ireland in 1980. In 1970, she married Nicholas Robinson, with whom she had a relationship since they were fellow law students and who was then practising as a solicitor.
She became a member of the Bar of England and Wales in 1973 and a senior counsel in Ireland in 1980. In 1970, she married Nicholas Robinson, with whom she had a relationship since they were fellow law students and who was then practising as a solicitor.
The party ultimately nominated the former Northern Ireland civil rights campaigner Austin Currie, a respected new TD and former Minister in Brian Faulkner's power-sharing executive in Northern Ireland from 1973 to 1974.
The party ultimately nominated the former Northern Ireland civil rights campaigner Austin Currie, a respected new TD and former Minister in Brian Faulkner's power-sharing executive in Northern Ireland from 1973 to 1974.
He was critical of its ties with Fine Gael and had co-founded the short-lived Socialist Labour Party in 1977, after leaving the Labour Party.
Her son Aubrey, a photographer and film-maker who is "committed to social justice", received media attention in 2011, when he participated in Occupy Dame Street. ==Career in Seanad Éireann (Irish Senate)== Robinson's early political career included election to Dublin City Council in 1979, where she served until 1983.
She became a member of the Bar of England and Wales in 1973 and a senior counsel in Ireland in 1980. In 1970, she married Nicholas Robinson, with whom she had a relationship since they were fellow law students and who was then practising as a solicitor.
Though she – and people who, in the past, might not have espoused her causes – fought a determined battle, Wood Quay was ultimately bulldozed and concreted over, to build the controversial Civic Offices. In 1982, the Labour Party entered into a coalition government with Fine Gael.
Lenihan's role in the event in 1982 seemed to imply that he could be instructed by Haughey in his duties, and that electing Lenihan was in effect empowering the controversial Haughey.
Her son Aubrey, a photographer and film-maker who is "committed to social justice", received media attention in 2011, when he participated in Occupy Dame Street. ==Career in Seanad Éireann (Irish Senate)== Robinson's early political career included election to Dublin City Council in 1979, where she served until 1983.
She also served as United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights from 1997 to 2002 and a Senator for the University of Dublin from 1969 to 1989.
To the surprise of many, she decided not to seek re-election to the Seanad in 1989.
Mary Therese Winifred Robinson (Máire Mhic Róibín; ; born 21 May 1944) is an Irish independent politician who served as the seventh President of Ireland from December 1990 to September 1997, becoming the first woman to hold this office.
She defeated the Fianna Fáil party's Brian Lenihan and the Fine Gael party's Austin Currie in the 1990 presidential election, becoming the first Independent candidate nominated by the Labour Party, the Workers' Party and Independent Senators.
Her first television interview as President-elect was on the RTÉ children's television show The Den with Ray D'Arcy, puppets Zig and Zag and Dustin the Turkey, another puppet. ==Presidency== Robinson was inaugurated as the seventh President of Ireland on 3 December 1990.
One media critic who had slated her presidential ideas in 1990, journalist and Sunday Tribune editor Vincent Browne, passed her a note at the end of the press conference saying simply "you were magnificent." Browne's comments matched the attitudes of Irish people on Robinson's achievements as President, between 1990 and 1997.
As a former Head of State and in recognition of her significant contribution towards human rights she was awarded the honour of Dame Grand Cross of Merit. ===Honorary degrees=== In 1991 and in 2001, Robinson was awarded honorary doctorates by Brown University, University of Cambridge and Lisbon Nova University.
Some background came via an interview with Robinson. Specific ==Further reading== Stephen Collins, Spring and the Labour Party (O'Brien Press, 1993) Eamon Delaney, An Accidental Diplomat: My Years in the Irish Foreign Service (1987–1995) (New Island Books, 2001) Garret FitzGerald, All in a Life (Gill and Macmillan, 1991) Fergus Finlay, Mary Robinson: A President with a Purpose (O'Brien Press, 1991) Fergus Finlay.
Some background came via an interview with Robinson. Specific ==Further reading== Stephen Collins, Spring and the Labour Party (O'Brien Press, 1993) Eamon Delaney, An Accidental Diplomat: My Years in the Irish Foreign Service (1987–1995) (New Island Books, 2001) Garret FitzGerald, All in a Life (Gill and Macmillan, 1991) Fergus Finlay, Mary Robinson: A President with a Purpose (O'Brien Press, 1991) Fergus Finlay.
Mary Therese Winifred Robinson (Máire Mhic Róibín; ; born 21 May 1944) is an Irish independent politician who served as the seventh President of Ireland from December 1990 to September 1997, becoming the first woman to hold this office.
She also served as United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights from 1997 to 2002 and a Senator for the University of Dublin from 1969 to 1989.
One media critic who had slated her presidential ideas in 1990, journalist and Sunday Tribune editor Vincent Browne, passed her a note at the end of the press conference saying simply "you were magnificent." Browne's comments matched the attitudes of Irish people on Robinson's achievements as President, between 1990 and 1997.
By halfway through her term of office her popularity rating reached an unprecedented 93 per cent. ===Resignation as President=== Robinson issued her resignation as President in a message to the Ceann Comhairle (Speaker) of the Dáil, taking effect on 12 September 1997.
Robinson's role was to set the human rights agenda within the organisation and internationally, refocusing its appeal. In November 1997, still new to her post, she delivered the Romanes Lecture in Oxford on the topic of "Realizing Human Rights"; she spoke of the "daunting challenge" ahead of her, and how she intended to set about her task.
Also briefing notes issued on various occasions (notably state, official or personal visits by Robinson abroad) supplied by the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs, The Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Buckingham Palace, Áras an Uachtaráin, the Holy See and the press offices of the United Nations (including the text of her Romanes Lecture in November 1997).
Otherwise, no matter how much strength you muster, you never will manage to quell it or cut it down with the toughest of blades." Robinson was the first High Commissioner for Human Rights to visit Tibet, making her trip in 1998.
On 22 January 2000, she received an honorary doctorate from the Faculty of Law at Uppsala University, Sweden.
She extended her intended single four-year term as High Commissioner by a year to preside over the World Conference against Racism 2001 in Durban, South Africa; the conference proved controversial.
During her tenure, she criticised the Irish system of permits for non-EU immigrants as similar to "bonded labour" and criticised the United States' use of capital punishment. In 2001, she chaired the Asia Regional Preparatory Meeting for the World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and related intolerances, which was held in Tehran, Iran.
Women who did not wear it were criticised, and Robinson said that it "played into the hands of religious conservatives." Though she had initially announced her intention to serve a single four-year period, she extended the term by a year following an appeal from Annan, allowing her to preside over the 2001 World Conference against Racism in Durban, South Africa, as Secretary-General.
As a former Head of State and in recognition of her significant contribution towards human rights she was awarded the honour of Dame Grand Cross of Merit. ===Honorary degrees=== In 1991 and in 2001, Robinson was awarded honorary doctorates by Brown University, University of Cambridge and Lisbon Nova University.
Some background came via an interview with Robinson. Specific ==Further reading== Stephen Collins, Spring and the Labour Party (O'Brien Press, 1993) Eamon Delaney, An Accidental Diplomat: My Years in the Irish Foreign Service (1987–1995) (New Island Books, 2001) Garret FitzGerald, All in a Life (Gill and Macmillan, 1991) Fergus Finlay, Mary Robinson: A President with a Purpose (O'Brien Press, 1991) Fergus Finlay.
She also served as United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights from 1997 to 2002 and a Senator for the University of Dublin from 1969 to 1989.
Under continuing pressure from the United States, Robinson resigned her post in September 2002. After leaving the United Nations in 2002, Robinson formed Realizing Rights: the Ethical Globalization Initiative, which came to a planned end at the end of 2010.
Robinson served as Oxfam's honorary president from 2002 until she stepped down in 2012 and is honorary president of the European Inter-University Centre for Human Rights and Democratisation EIUC since 2005.
She was a member of the European members of the Trilateral Commission. In 2004, she received Amnesty International's Ambassador of Conscience Award for her work in promoting human rights. == Background == Born Mary Therese Winifred Bourke in Ballina, County Mayo, in 1944, she is the daughter of two medical doctors.
In 2004, she was awarded an Honorary Degree by McGill University. In 2009, she was awarded an honorary degree of Doctor of Laws from the University of Bath, at the 1100th anniversary celebration of the Diocese of Bath and Wells, where she gave a lecture entitled "Realising rights: the role of religion in human rights in the future". ===U.S.
Robinson served as Oxfam's honorary president from 2002 until she stepped down in 2012 and is honorary president of the European Inter-University Centre for Human Rights and Democratisation EIUC since 2005.
In 2004, she was awarded an Honorary Degree by McGill University. In 2009, she was awarded an honorary degree of Doctor of Laws from the University of Bath, at the 1100th anniversary celebration of the Diocese of Bath and Wells, where she gave a lecture entitled "Realising rights: the role of religion in human rights in the future". ===U.S.
Presidential Medal of Freedom=== In July 2009, she was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honour awarded by the United States.
Under continuing pressure from the United States, Robinson resigned her post in September 2002. After leaving the United Nations in 2002, Robinson formed Realizing Rights: the Ethical Globalization Initiative, which came to a planned end at the end of 2010.
Blaney Award for Dialogue 2005 – "Outspoken" Award by the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission (IGLHRC) 2006 – Prince of Asturias Award for Social Science 2009 – Inamori Ethics Prize by Case Western Reserve University 2017 – Knight of Freedom Award 2018 – Kew International Medal 2018 – Tipperary International Peace Award On 29 September 2010, at a ceremony in Dublin, she received a damehood from the Military and Hospitaller Order of St.
Her son Aubrey, a photographer and film-maker who is "committed to social justice", received media attention in 2011, when he participated in Occupy Dame Street. ==Career in Seanad Éireann (Irish Senate)== Robinson's early political career included election to Dublin City Council in 1979, where she served until 1983.
Robinson served as Oxfam's honorary president from 2002 until she stepped down in 2012 and is honorary president of the European Inter-University Centre for Human Rights and Democratisation EIUC since 2005.
Appointed by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, she was expected to play a key role in supporting implementation of the U.N.-drafted peace deal signed by 11 African countries in late February 2013. In July 2014, Ban Ki-moon made her his special envoy for Climate Change to interact with global leaders ahead of the 2014 Climate Summit, in New York, at which the secretary-general said he hoped to forge political commitment to finalising an agreement in 2015.
In August 2014, she was joined by fellow Elder Jimmy Carter during the 2014 Israel–Gaza conflict, to pen an article in Foreign Policy magazine, pressing for the inclusion of recognition of Hamas as a legitimate political actor, noting the recent unity deal between Hamas and Fatah when the former agreed with the Palestinian Authority to denounce violence, recognise Israel and adhere to past agreements.
Robinson and Carter called on the UN Security Council to act on what they described as the inhumane conditions in Gaza, and mandate an end to the siege. On 16 October 2014, she attended the One Young World Summit in Dublin.
Appointed by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, she was expected to play a key role in supporting implementation of the U.N.-drafted peace deal signed by 11 African countries in late February 2013. In July 2014, Ban Ki-moon made her his special envoy for Climate Change to interact with global leaders ahead of the 2014 Climate Summit, in New York, at which the secretary-general said he hoped to forge political commitment to finalising an agreement in 2015.
Appointed by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, she was expected to play a key role in supporting implementation of the U.N.-drafted peace deal signed by 11 African countries in late February 2013. In July 2014, Ban Ki-moon made her his special envoy for Climate Change to interact with global leaders ahead of the 2014 Climate Summit, in New York, at which the secretary-general said he hoped to forge political commitment to finalising an agreement in 2015.
She was also the keynote speaker at the One Young World Opening Ceremony where she highlighted the need to empower young people to participate in decision-making processes that shape their future. On 1 November 2018, Robinson was appointed as the Chair of The Elders, succeeding Kofi Annan who had died earlier in the year. ==Post-president period== ===University of Dublin=== Robinson served as the twenty-fourth, and first female, Chancellor of University of Dublin (i.e.
Detained International head David Haigh expressed astonishment at the former UN commissioner for repeatedly reciting a single statement from Dubai's official version of the events, "loving care of her family", and for dismissing Latifa's alleged attempt to escape from Dubai in February 2018.
In February 2021, Robinson retracted her 2018 statement claiming on the BBC's Panorama programme that she and Latifa's stepmother, Princess Haya, were both misled over the health and stability of Latifa during that period, when she was held in enforced detention in a Dubai villa and Robinson was embroiled into the proof of life controversy to allay International concern over Latifa's disappearance from the public eye.
In February 2021, Robinson retracted her 2018 statement claiming on the BBC's Panorama programme that she and Latifa's stepmother, Princess Haya, were both misled over the health and stability of Latifa during that period, when she was held in enforced detention in a Dubai villa and Robinson was embroiled into the proof of life controversy to allay International concern over Latifa's disappearance from the public eye.
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