U.S. Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ), Chairman of the Committee on Global Human Rights, Vice Chairman of the International Relations Committee and Co-Chairman of the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe issued the following statement in response to the de Chastelain weapons inspection commission report: 

    “Today’s announcement that the IRA has scrapped its arsenal of weapons is a historic leap toward peace and democracy in the north of Ireland” said Rep. Chris Smith, Chairman of the Congressional human rights panel that has held 10 hearing on the Northern Ireland peace process since 1997.

    “The IRA’s actions remove a major obstacle to the restoration of self government in Northern Ireland,” Smith said. “The door is now wide open for the British government to move expeditiously to restore the Northern Irish executive and parliament, which was suspended three years ago in part because of worries about decommissioning.” 

    “The unfettered operation of a power-sharing, democratically elected Northern Ireland Assembly is a lynch-pin of the Good Friday Agreement in Northern Ireland,” he said. 

    “Any ongoing doubts about IRA decommissioning have been greatly alleviated with today’s announcement,” Smith said. “I urge all parties involved to redouble their efforts so that the Northern Ireland Assembly will be able to operate and function for the benefit of the people."

    “The British government must also continue its work to guarantee that Unionist paramilitaries match the IRA and disarm, and stop their violent and criminal activities. These paramilitaries are currently the greatest purveyors of violence in Northern Ireland and the greatest threats to the achievement of peace,” Smith said.

    “The decommissioning also allows all interested parties to focus--like a laser beam--on police reform,” said Smith who has championed police reform in Northern Ireland and authored legislation that banned RUC—FBI police exchanges unless Northern Ireland police were vetted for human rights abuses.

    “Proper policing is essential to a just and lasting peace,” he said. “I remain committed to doing everything I can to provide continued U.S. support for the peace process and the complete implementation of policing reforms, demilitarization, decommissioning and the protection of fundamental human rights for all of the people of Northern Ireland,” he said. 

    The issue of peace and justice in Northern Ireland has been of critical interest to many in New Jersey – particularly members of the New Jersey Ancient Order of Hibernians. Just this past Friday, the Hamilton Division of the Hibernians recognized Smith for his leadership role in promoting peace and human rights in the north of Ireland.