ASK YOUR MP TO SIGN EDM 898

2009-02-27T12:30:00.006Z

The 12th February 2009 was the 20th anniversary of the murder of Pat Finucane, yet there has still been no independent inquiry into his death.

Jeremy Corbyn MP has tabled EDM 898 'Inquiry into death of Pat Finucane' which calls for a fully independent inquiry 'free from Government constraints.'

EDM 898: INQUIRY INTO DEATH OF PAT FINUCANE
Jeremy Corbyn

That this House notes the 20th anniversary of the murder of Pat Finucane; further notes the conclusions of the Stevens Inquiry into the murder of evidence of `collusion' and the `withholding of intelligence and evidence' and of the Cory Inquiry that `there is strong evidence that collusive acts were committed by the Army, the RUC SB and the security service'; regrets the Government's insistence that an inquiry into Pat Finucane's murder can only be held under the Inquiries Act 2005; believes that evidence of collusion between British forces and Loyalist paramilitaries in the case means only an independent inquiry free from Government constraints can establish the truth behind the murder; and supports the calls of the Finucane family and Amnesty International for a fully independent inquiry.

To see the latest list of signatories to the EDM click here

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THE NEED FOR A FULLY INDEPENDENT INQUIRY

2009-02-26T10:36:00.000Z

On 12th February 1989, Pat Finucane, a prominent human rights lawyer was shot dead by loyalist paramilitaries in his home in front of his wife and children.

In the aftermath of his killing, prima facie evidence of criminal conduct by police and military intelligence agents, acting in collusion with loyalist paramilitaries in his murder, has emerged. In addition, allegations have emerged of a subsequent cover-up by different government agencies and authorities.

But since his murder, there has been no independent inquiry into his death and the collusion by British authorities and loyalist paramilitaries. An inquiry under the Inquiries Act 2005 is not sufficient, only a fully independent inquiry will be acceptable.

Cory Report
The Canadian Judge Peter Cory, who was commissioned by the British and Irish governments to investigate the possibility of state collusion has said of the Inquiries Act 2005, ‘the Minister, the actions of whose ministry was to be reviewed by the public inquiry would have the authority to thwart the efforts of the inquiry at every step.’ Cory’s investigation into Pat Finucane’s murder, published in April 2004, concluded there was strong evidence that collusive acts were committed by the army, the RUC Special Branch and the security service.

Stevens Inquiry 3
Another inquiry published a year before Cory written by Sir John Stevens, stated that there was evidence of ‘collusion’ and the ‘withholding of intelligence and evidence’ by RUC Special Branch and the British Army’s intelligence unit known as the Force Research Unit, whilst Stevens office was itself mysteriously burnt out during the investigation.

European Court of Human Rights
However, following the the Stevens investigation, a judgment of the European Court of Human Rights, issued in July 2003, said that 'there had been a failure to provide a prompt and effective investigation into the allegations of collusion by security personnel.'

Joint Committee on Human Rights
On the possibility of an independent inquiry under the Inquiries Act, even the Houses of Parliament’s Joint Committee on Human Rights said that ‘a wide-ranging power to issue restriction notices, remaining with the Minister’ and the ‘degree of ministerial discretion as to publication of the conclusions of an inquiry puts at risk both the independence and the appearance of independence of the inquiry, contrary to Article 2 European Convention on Human Rights.’

Amnesty International
Amnesty argues, ‘any inquiry held under the Act would be controlled by the executive. The final report of any inquiry under the Act would be published at the executive's discretion and crucial evidence could be omitted at the executive's discretion, ‘in the public interest’.’

It is indisputable that policing agencies responsible to the British authorities, colluded with loyalist paramilitaries, in order to kill civilians in the north of Ireland. This is why an inquiry into Pat Finucane's murder, where there is evidence of collusion between the British authorities and the actual murderers, cannot take place under conditions where the British government has such control over the inquiry.

Write to your MP and demand they support a fully independent inquiry into the murder of Pat Finucane.

Contact

2009-02-26T10:35:00.000Z

For further inquiries, email justiceforpatfinucane@gmail.com

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Justice for Pat Finucane

ASK YOUR MP TO SIGN EDM 898

THE NEED FOR A FULLY INDEPENDENT INQUIRY

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