NCJ Number
175394
Date Published
1997
Length
187 pages
Annotation
This analysis of policing, human rights, and accountability in Northern Ireland focuses on four areas of policing that raise significant human rights concerns.
Abstract
These four areas are the draconian police powers of the Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC) under Northern Ireland's emergency regime, the policing of the summer 1996 marching season, the significant increase in paramilitary punishment assaults and expulsions, and the persistent allegations of collusion between members of the security forces and loyalist paramilitary groups. This analysis is also intended as a direct response to the final report issued in 1996 by the International Body on Arms Decommissioning chaired by former United States Senator Mitchell. The discussion notes that the British government has responded to the conflict in Northern Ireland by imposing an emergency regime that gives the RUC expansive police powers to stop, question, search, arrest, detain, and interrogate persons suspected of terrorist activity. The analysis argues that the emergency legislation itself gives rise to substantial violations of human rights and urges its repeal. Footnotes and appended background information