Rosemary Nelson Campaign Launched 4/19 Via NY Transfer News Collective * All the News that Doesn't Fit PRESS RELEASE from Rosemary Nelson Campaign Monday 19 April 1999 Bursar Suite, Holiday Inn, University Street, Belfast CAMPAIGN LAUNCHED FOR TRUTH IN MURDERED LAWYER'S DEATH A campaign to support the call from the Nelson family for an independent, international investigation and judicial inquiry into the murder of human rights lawyer, Rosemary Nelson was launched in Belfast today. The Rosemary Nelson Campaign supported by the Nelson and Magee families, calls for both an independent, international investigation as well as a wider independent, international, judicial inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the murder of Rosemary Nelson. This follows similar calls from others such as UN Special Rapporteur Param Curamaswamy, Archbishop Sean Brady and leaders of Sinn Fein and the SDLP. The passing of resolutions in both the European Parliament and the United States Congress further strengthened this call. At the launch, attended by a range of leading legal, human rights, voluntary and community figures, Campaign spokesperson Dr. Robbie McVeigh stated Human rights lawyers are in the frontline of the defence of human rights around the world. In this context, the murder of Rosemary Nelson was a direct and profound attack on the human rights of everybody in the north of Ireland. Swift movement towards the establishing of a fully independent investigation and inquiry into the circumstances surrounding Rosemarys death is the only way in which the human rights which were guaranteed by the Belfast Agreement can be properly protected. At the event, attended by members of the Nelson and Magee families, support for the campaign also came from Lurgan family priest Father Kieran McPartland, and British human rights lawyer, Gareth Pierce. Paul Nelson, husband of the murdered lawyer said; As I said at the time of Rosemarys murder, her family have no confidence in the current investigation into her murder, and have many unanswered questions. We therefore support this campaign in the hope that we may learn the truth about the circumstances surrounding Rosemarys murder In advance of the launch a range of activities have begun, including resolutions to the European Parliament and United States Congress, several petitions and a web site. The campaign announced a further range of activities at the launch, including events in Ireland, Britain and the United States to press for the campaign goals for an independent investigation and independent, judicial inquiry. ENDS For Further Information Please Contact Rosemary Nelson Campaign PO box 1251, Belfast BT12 6DN Tel. + 44 1232 220100 Fax +44 1232 220101 Notes To Editors 1. Members of the Nelson/Magee family will hope to be in attendance at the launch. 2. Interviews and other details can be arranged through Majella McCloskey 3. A press pack will be available at the launch, detailing reaction to Ms Nelsons murder, as well as her statements concerning threats against her life and copies of recent resolutions and other developments. 4. Dr Robbie McVeigh has been appointed spokesperson for the Rosemary Nelson Campaign. He works as a Researcher and has had a distinguished career in both the academic and human rights fields, having previously lectured in Sociology at Queens University Belfast and been employed as a Researcher with the Committee on the Administration of Justice (CAJ). ================================================================= 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-04.24.99-11:07:54-27564