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Smith Resolution Calls on |
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WASHINGTON, DC - Representative Chris Smith (R-NJ) and a bipartisan group of a dozen lawmakers today introduced legislation calling on the government of the United Kingdom to begin a full “independent public judicial” investigation of the murder of Northern Ireland defense attorney Pat Finucane. In the Weston Park Agreement of 2001, both the British and Irish governments agreed to implement recommendations of International Judge Peter Cory who later called for the investigation into state sponsored collusion in the Finucane murder. “Pat Finucane was a courageous human rights activist, a loving father and husband,” said Smith, who earlier this week co-chaired a hearing on policing reform as part of the Northern Ireland Peace Process and has held eleven hearings in nine years on human rights in In 1989, Patrick Finucane, a human rights attorney, was gunned down in his home in Judge Cory found sufficient evidence of this collusion to warrant a public inquiry into Finucane’s murder. In 2004, Cory presented the Helsinki Commission – chaired by Rep. Smith – with his report on the Finucane case which was filled with evidence of collusion relating to the activities of an army intelligence unit and the Royal Ulster Constabulary. After public release of the Cory report, the “My legislation closely tracks legislation that was passed by unanimously by the Dail Eireann on March 8, 2006,” Smith said. “We are hoping that our combined efforts here and in the Smith’s resolution commends the Finucane family for their courageous campaign for truth and calls on the government of the | ||
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For Immediate Release: March 16, 2006 Contact: Brad Dayspring (202) 225-3765 |
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