US Congressional Hearings: Human Rts and Ireland Via NY Transfer News Collective * All the News that Doesn't Fit Wed, 22 Oct 1997 07:22:42 +0000 source: Paddy Newell Human Rights and The H-Block 3: Note: Complete documentation, addresses and New Action Alert for H-Block 3 is available at: http://www.gmu.edu/org/ireland32/hblock3.html ******************************************** The Irish People 25 October 1997 Available on Tuesdays at: http://inac.org/IrishPeople/ US Congressional Hearings Highlight Human Rights Abuses by British Authorities by Padraigmn Newell For the second time in four months United States Congressional members held hearings on the issue of Human Rights Abuses in the Six-Counties. On Thursday, October 9th the House Subcommittee on International Operations and Human Rights listened to expert testimony from representatives of five leading international human rights organizations. In his opening statement, House Subcommittee Chairman Christopher Smith (R-NJ) blasted the UK government, the RUC and the Diplock Court system for failing to "guarantee the equal protection of rights to both the Protestant and Catholic communities, especially the Catholic minority." Critical of the British government, Smith pointed out that "When a government or its officials resort to methods that are illegal, unjust, or inhumane" then "the effect is not to preserve law and order but to undermine it." Congressman Smith emphasied the need for a "guarantee of fundamental human rights" as a central component in the Irish Peace Negotiations and "not just a bargaining chip." Smith's opening statement ended with recommendations for "A Bill of Rights, including guarantees of the right against self-incrimination, the right to counsel, and the right to a speedy and public trial." The hearings follow Congressmen Smith's recent five-day fact-finding and human rights mission to the statelet. Describing his reception at Castlereagh detention centre as a poor attempt at "window-dressing," the Congressman directed his sharpest criticism at RUC Chief Constable Ronnie Flanagan and Lord Chief Justice Sir Robert Carswell. Accusing both men of "hostile, dismissive" and "back-of-hand" behavior Smith stated that he considered his exchanges with Flanagan and Carswell as "the most disappointing sessions" of his visit. "Both men remained in a state of denial," and that meaningful reforms "will have to come from external pressures and sources said Smith. Testifying before the Committee were representatives from Human Rights Watch, British Irish Rights Watch, the Committee on the Administration of Justice, Amnesty International and the Lawyers Committee for Human Rights. Testimonies stressed the need for a full-scale and independent investigation into the human rights abuses within the Six-Counties, and the failure of the British government to address the problems. All of the witnesses agreed that human rights must be at the core of the Irish Peace Negotiations and welcomed the increasing participation of the United States government. Witnesses submitted lists of major issues and made recommendations to build confidence within the peace process which included: *A lack of accountability for gross RUC misconduct and police abuse. *Justice systems badly distorted by emergency laws which contribute to the conflict rather than assisting in its resolution and the need for an immediate repeal. *The need for a Bill of Rights and implementation of 156 recommendations made by the Standing Advisory Commission on Human Rights. *The British government's failure to conform to international standards set down by the UN Human Rights Committee and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. *The need for an immediate closure of Castlereigh detention centre. *Evidence of collusion between security forces and Loyalist paramilitary groups and withholding of information. *The British forces "shoot-to-kill" policy. *The need for protection of defense attorneys and rights of detainees. *New independent investigations into Bloody Sunday and the murder of Pat Finucane. *Discriminatory use of police force. *The need for an immediate ban on Plastic bullets. Also attending the hearings were Congressmen Benjamin Gilman (NY) Chairman of the House Committee on International Relations, Congressman Peter King (NY) and Congressman Richard Neal (NY ). Accusing the British government with "misuse of rule" and "human rights abuses" Congressman King attributed the "wild violence" to a criminal justice system favourable to unionists and "not fair to the nationalist community." Congressman Gilman indicated that the need for reform is "self-evident. Northern Ireland history is littered with failed attempts that didn't address the issue of human rights and the need for parity of esteem. Human rights must be the centerpiece." Gilman also stressed the need to "build on the momentum of the talks in Stormont." Although not a member of the House International Relations Committee, Congressman Neal came to "lend support." Neal commented that nine years earlier he expressed his concern over human rights abuses in his 1988 speech calling for a ban on plastic bullets. "I feel as strong a need today to address these issues to build confidence." The group collectively agreed that the importance of human rights is a central element of the peace process in the Six-Counties. At the close of the hearings attention was directed towards Congressman's Smith recent House Resolution which focuses on the needs for human rights protection in the Six-Counties. In closing remarks, Congressman Smith asked the witnesses "Would it be helpful to have House Resolution 152 included in any negotiated settlement?" All replied "yes." The Congressman also asked "Has there been any indication that the Blair government will conduct a human rights investigation?" All replied "no." The Congressmen thanked the witnesses for their valuable time and testimony and expressed their willingness to work together closely in the future. The Committee will review the testimonies and a 1997 video presented as evidence "Policing the Police: Marching Season in Northern Ireland." There are presently several US Congressional resolutions focusing on specific Human Rights Abuses, including Provocative Parades, Plastic Bullets and the MacBride Principles. The full text of the resolutions, recent articles and statements are available on the internet at: http://www.gmu.edu/org/ireland32/ ================================================================= 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-10.23.97-01:42:49-16511