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 Nor-
wegian 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 Brit-
ish security forces, the more than 300 killings by security
forces since 1969 (many of which involved unarmed civil-
ians) have resulted in only 21 murder charges, with only
2 convictions;
•HCON 31 IH
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 con-
cert 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 de-
struction 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 Ameri-
cans, especially during this time of rapidly shifting inter-
national 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 fair-
ness and decency does not distinguish between friend and
enemy, criminal or prosecutor, and the American cov-
enant of democracy commits us to protest any wrong-
doing and confront any injustice;
•HCON 31 IH
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 commu-
nity, we have a special responsibility to do so: Now,
therefore, be it
Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate
concurring), That the Congress hereby petitions the Presi-
dent to intervene personally with the Government of Great
Britain to urge that government—
(1) to address the continuing human rights vio-
lations in the north of Ireland, and
(2) to initiate talks among all parties involved
in the conflict there in an effort to find a lasting and
equitable solution.
Æ