UN report calls for action on Stormont House Agreement and inquiry into murder of Pat Finucane

RELATIVES FOR JUSTICE have welcomed yesterday's concluding observations from the United Nations Committee on Civil and Political Rights regarding the immediate implementation of the Stormont House Agreement by the British Government and the call for an inquiry into the murder of human rights solicitor Pat Finucane.

RFJ Director Mark Thompson described the UN report as “highly significant”.

He said that Relatives for Justice made a substantial submission to the UN committee and RFJ Board member Niall Murphy travelled to the its hearings in Geneva and gave a verbal presentation of the submission and lobbied the committee earlier this month.

He said:

“The findings by the committee and their recommendations support completely the views of Relatives for Justice regarding legacy issues, not least calling for an inquiry into the murder of Pat Finucane, the need for effective Article 2 compliant investigations, adequate resourcing of those investigations, ensuring investigation independence in statute, the prompt establishment of the HIU and the prompt implementation of the Stormont House Agreement.”

Mark Thompson said that the findings require an immediate response from the British Government and the Secretary of State and urgent movement on all of the recommendations.

“These findings need to be the subject of urgent debate in Stormont, Westminster and Leinster House.”

Sinn Féin Victims spokesperson Chris Hazzard MLA noted that the United Nations are calling for an independent inquiry into the killing of human rights lawyer Pat Finucane “which is an outstanding commitment from Weston Park”.

The Assembly member added:

“If we are to address the legacy issue of the past then the British Government should now respond positively.

“It must live up to its international obligations under the United Nations Covenant and end its obstruction of inquiries into conflict-related deaths through withholding information and documents.”