The continued search for justice in Northern Ireland was the topic of a hearing chaired today by Rep. Chris Smith (NJ-4th), Chairman of the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe (CSCE), also called the Helsinki Commission.
Entitled "Northern Ireland: Why Justice in Individual Cases Matters," the hearing featured victims of past violence who have called for justice and resolution.
“Today family members of people killed in Northern Ireland will tell us about their efforts to learn the truth about possible British government collusion or complicity in their loved one’s murder,” said Smith, who is also Chairman of the House Human Rights Subcommittee and Executive member of the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission, as he opened the hearing. “I join my voice with theirs to say: enough obfuscation and stonewalling. We must continue to press for the truth – wherever it leads – and continue to press until justice has been served and those responsible have been held to account.” (Click here to read Smith’s remarks)
Families of Irish citizens killed in the violence were among those to call for independent investigations and accountability for past abuses by security services in Northern Ireland. The commission also reviewed provisions of the Good Friday Agreement, including those relating to policing and the administration of justice in the region.
Testimony included statements by:
John Finucane, son of Patrick Finucane, human rights lawyer murdered by loyalist paramilitaries
Raymond McCord, father of Raymond McCord, Jr., murdered by loyalist paramilitaries
John Teggart, son of Daniel Teggart, victim of the 1971 Ballymurphy massacre
Ciarán McAirt, grandson of Kitty Irvine, McGurk’s Bar bombing victim
Jane Winter, Director, British Irish Rights Watch
“Equivocating on the issue of truth and justice for past crimes will only embolden those elements responsible for them from the resulting impunity,” Smith said. “The time has come to focus truth’s light on the murky relationships and collusion that existed between the security forces and paramilitary organizations in Northern Ireland and hold those responsible to account.
“We are all grateful to family members and others who have travelled from Ireland to be with us this afternoon,” Smith said. “Their commitment to justice is moving and is a key factor building a brighter future for all of the people of Northern Ireland. The other factor, which we are here to work on, will be the British government’s willingness to deal more openly with the past.”
The U.S. Helsinki Commission is an independent agency of the federal government charged with monitoring compliance with the Helsinki Accords and advancing comprehensive security through promotion of human rights, democracy, and economic, environmental and military cooperation in 56 countries. The Commission consists of nine members from the U.S. Senate, nine from the House of Representatives, and one member each from the Departments of State, Defense, and Commerce.
