"But the Magdalene Laundries at least no longer exist, "
Not the point Mike - they ceased to exist when the church lost its power, and like all extremes, the mentality that ran them is waiting in the wings for the second coming.
The way to end persecution of any form is to recognise the reason for its existence and put it out of harms way, not to hold ones hand up in horror at one particular brand and ignore all the others.
You choose not to comment on the political support and comfort offered by the west to the extremists... which says all that needs to be said about your outrage - not serious enough to rock the political or economic boat.
STRENGTHENING NIGERIAN/BRITISH RELATIONS
Jim Carroll