Congressional Committee passes human rights resolution.
By Padraigin Newell
The US government's House International Relations Committee
almost unanimously passed a long awaited human rights resolution
on the Six Counties, a move sponsored by Congressman Chris Smith.
There was only one opposition vote, from New York Congressman Amo
Houghton.
Under the leadership of Smith, chair of the Subcommittee on
International Operations and Human Rights, the committee has held
two hearings on human rights in the Six Counties since June 1997.
The resolution seeks to ``adequately address outstanding human
rights violations and fully integrate internationally recognised
human rights standards as part of the peace process.''
Prior to the vote anglophile representatives from the State
department argued that it was ``not a good time for this type of
legislation,'' prompting an angry response from Ben Gilman, Chair
of the House International Relations Committee and a sponsor of
the Bill, ``It hasn't been a good time for over 700 years.''
Other key components of the resolution call on the US Congress to
condemn violence by agents of the British government as well as
other combatants to the conflict, that a truly independent
complaints mechanism for the review of citizens inquiries
regarding alleged abuses of the RUC and other security forces
should be established and that plastic bullets should be
withdrawn from use in accordance with the recommendations of the
European Parliament and many other international and local
bodies.
In a statement issued shortly after the debate Congressman Gilman
said, ``The need for respect for human rights as an essential part
for finding lasting solutions for the Northern Ireland issue, is
self evident.''
Urging adoption of the Resolution, ``by all those concerned about
securing lasting peace and justice in Northern Ireland,'' Gilman
added. ``We cannot neglect fundamental respect for human rights.
The need for reform, especially in the treatment of the minority
nationalist community, should not be overlooked.''
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