IV

103D CONGRESS

1ST SESSION H. CON. RES. 31

Concerning human rights in the north of Ireland.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

FEBRUARY 2, 1993

Mr. ENGEL submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was referred

to the Committee on Foreign Affairs

CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

Concerning human rights in the north of Ireland.

Whereas the list of human rights abuses involving important

elements of the British Government is lengthy and well

documented as evidenced by recent reports from the Norwegian Helsinki Committee, Amnesty International, and

the Helsinki Watch Committee;

Whereas the legal safeguards against such abuses of human

rights are often inadequate;

Whereas although killings by the Irish Republican Army and

Loyalist paramilitary forces outnumber those by the British security forces, the more than 300 killings by security

forces since 1969 (many of which involved unarmed civilians) have resulted in only 21 murder charges, with only

2 convictions;
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Whereas investigations of police abuses have been internal

and not available to the public, including the victims and

their families;

Whereas evidence persists that security forces, acting in concert with the British Government, have on more than one

occasion sought to cover up reports of certain violations;

Whereas an investigation by Deputy Chief Constable John

Stalker revealed the existence of an elaborate cover-up in

a case in which an elite anti-terrorist squad of the Royal

Ulster Constabulary was involved in the killing of six

Catholic youths, including the falsification of testimony,

obstruction of the coroner’s investigation, and the destruction of critical evidence;

Whereas British authorities undertook a lengthy campaign to

discredit Stalker, and his recommendations were ignored;

Whereas there has been a long standing and warm alliance

between the United States and Great Britain which has

been a source of stability and comfort to many Americans, especially during this time of rapidly shifting international alliances;

Whereas the political and judicial principles which guide our

Nation today, including safeguards painstakingly hewn

from the British Magna Carta, urgently compel us to

speak out against inequity and abuse no matter where in

the world they occur;

Whereas our stubborn and irrepressible commitment to fairness and decency does not distinguish between friend and

enemy, criminal or prosecutor, and the American covenant of democracy commits us to protest any wrongdoing and confront any injustice;
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Whereas the turmoil and bloodshed will not come to an end

until the British authorities, including the military and

security forces, are prepared to protect and defend the

human rights of all the people of the north of Ireland;

and

Whereas as an ally and a friend, the United States has a

unique opportunity to insist that Great Britain adhere to

recognized standards of justice and decency in the north

of Ireland, and as a leading power in the world community, we have a special responsibility to do so: Now,

therefore, be it

1 Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate

2 concurring), That the Congress hereby petitions the Presi3 dent to intervene personally with the Government of Great

4 Britain to urge that government—

5 (1) to address the continuing human rights vio6 lations in the north of Ireland, and

7 (2) to initiate talks among all parties involved

8 in the conflict there in an effort to find a lasting and

9 equitable solution.

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