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NOVEMBER 2002
BILLY WRIGHT
On 20th
November I accompanied Billy Wright’s father, David Wright, to 10 Downing
Street, where he delivered a copy of freelance journalist Chris Anderson’s
book about the life and death of Billy Wright, Billy Boy, to the Prime
Minister. The book provides rare
insight into loyalist thinking and makes a very strong case for a public inquiry
into the death of the LVF leader.
committee to
consider the human rights commission
The parliamentary
Joint Committee on Human Rights is examining the workings of the Northern
Ireland Human Rights Commission. BIRW
has put in a submission arguing for more support from the government, both in
terms of resources and of defence against the Commission’s detractors.
attempted
intimidation of defence lawyers
We have sent our thirteenth report to the United Nations’
Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers concerning the
situation of defence lawyers in Northern Ireland. Despite gradual improvements, Northern Ireland remains a
dangerous environment in which to practice for any lawyer prepared to act in
contentious cases. The
responsibility for this situation lies with the government, who have failed to
act promptly and unambiguously to support the legal profession in Northern
Ireland, despite the urgings of the Special Rapporteur and many others.
PLASTIC BULLETS
On 11th
November, coincidentally Remembrance Day, I attended a meeting in Belfast
organised by the Committee on the Administration of Justice to discuss plastic
bullets. A number of human rights
groups attended the meeting to discuss concerns about the use of these lethal
weapons by both the police and the army. The
army has recently disclosed its guidelines on the use of plastic bullets, which
authorise firing on those perceived to be ringleaders, regardless of whether
they are in fact posing any threat to anyone.
In our view, it is only a matter of time before someone else is killed by
a plastic bullet. We will continue to work for their abolition.
US BRIEFING
On 18th
November BIRW and Amnesty International met First Secretary Michael Murphy of
the American Embassy to brief him on human rights issues prior to the recent
visit by US special envoy Richard Haass. American
attention to the human rights dimension of the conflict and peace process is
much appreciated. I was glad to see
that in his keynote speech on the peace process Ambassador Haass emphasised the
need to strengthen institutions and practices that guarantee human rights and
equality.
meeting with the
chief constable
On 21st November I met the new Chief Constable of the Police Service of Northern Ireland, Hugh Orde. We discussed a range of matters and there was a frank exchange of views.
MEETING ON BLOODY SUNDAY
Angela Hickey addressed a meeting on 27th November at Camden Irish Centre to inform the London Irish community about the hearings of the Bloody Sunday Inquiry that are taking place here in town.
SUPPORT FOR OUR
WORK
I am delighted to acknowledge two donations this month. We have received £2,500 from Two Garden Court Chambers, who have supported us consistently over a number of years. Also very welcome was $2,000 from William J Flynn, under the auspices of the American Ireland Fund. We are honoured to be recognised in this way by Bill Flynn, who has made such an important contribution to the peace process. We are more than grateful to them both.
ANNUAL REPORT
Considerable time
has been spent this month in drawing up our annual report.
We will be sending it to everyone on our mailing list next month, when it
will also be available on our web site.
FAREWELL DELPHINE
Our volunteer Delphine Roumaseille has now completed her
work with us researching Operation Motorman and the death of Daniel Hegarty in
Derry in 1972. We are grateful for
her time and wish her well in the future.
Jane Winter,
Director,
30th November 2002.
For Peace Justice & Human Rights
