US Congressional Committee Passes Human Rights Resolution Via NY Transfer News Collective * All the News that Doesn't Fit source:Paddy Newell Congressional Committee passes Human Rights Resolution by Padraigmn Newell Washington, DC -- On Friday, October 31st, the House International Relations Committee passed the Human Rights Resolution on Northern Ireland. The vote was nearly unanimously - the one opposition vote coming from Congressman Amo Houghton (R-NY). The Resolution is sponsored by Congressman Chris Smith, Chairman of the Subcommittee on International Operations and Human Rights. Under the leadership of Congressman Smith the Subcommittee has twice held hearings on human rights in the north of Ireland since June 1997. In the Resolution, Congressional Members are seeking: "A concurent resolution expressing the sense of the Congress that all parties to the multi-party peace talks regarding Northern Ireland should condemn violence, adequately address outstanding human rights violations and fully integrate internationally recognized human rights standards as part of the peace process." Representatives from the US State Department were in attendance expressing their opposition to the Resolution stating that "It was not a good time for this type of legislation." Congressman Benjamin Gilman, Chairman of the House International Relations Committee and a sponsor of the Bill, heatedly dismissed the suggestion with "It hasn't been a good time for over 700 years." The British Government is undoubtedly lobbying hard to prevent the passage of this Resolution. Key components of the Resolution offensive to the British Government are: *Position of the U.S. Congress to condemn violence "by agents of the British Government" as well as paramilitary groups. *Position of the U.S. Congress that "A truly independent complaints mechanism for the review of citizen inquiries regarding alleged abuses of the Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC) and other security forces should be established." *Position of the U.S. Congress that "plastic bullets should be withdrawn from use in accordance with the recommendations of the European Parliament and many other international and local bodies." Passage of the Resolution is to the credit of Congressmen Smith, a fierce proponent of human rights in the north of Ireland and Congressman Gilman, who in 1995 held the first Hearing on human rights in the north of Ireland after the government's ban in 1972. In his statement issued shortly after the debate today, Congressman Gilman said "The need for respect for human rights as an essential part for finding lasting solutions for the northern Ireland issue, is self evident." Urging adoption of the Resolution "by all those concerned about securing lasting peace and justice in Northern Ireland," Mr. Gilman added "We can not neglect fundamental respect for human rights. The need for reform, especially in the treatment of the minority nationalist community, should not be overlooked." The Resolution will now go before the Full House, where passage is expected. (Readers can support the Resolution and ask their Congressman to vote "yes" - by going to the online letter at: http://www.gmu.edu/org/ireland32/ All letters will be printed and delivered to Congressional Members. ================================================================= NY Transfer News Collective * A Service of Blythe Systems Since 1985 - Information for the Rest of Us 339 Lafayette St., New York, NY 10012 http://www.blythe.org e-mail: nyt@blythe.org ================================================================= nytire-11.02.97-02:02:05-9825