20 August 1998 Edition
Calls for extension for RUC submissions
The Derry-based international human rights group, the Pat Finucane Centre, has called for the Independent Commission on Policing to extend its 15 September deadline for written submissions.
On Monday the Commission's secretary told An Phoblacht they had only recieved a few hundred submissions. The commission was set up as part of the Good Friday document and is headed by MP John Patten the ex-Conservative minister and former governor of Hong Kong.
The Pat Finucane Centre urged ``people to take ownership of the commission and seriously consider making their own submissions.'' They added that individuals were experts on the RUC after being at the wrong end of 30 years of systematic abuses, beatings, harassment, intimidation and approaches.
Underlining the need for urgency in extending the 15 September deadline, the PFC said, ``effectively people could be excluded from the process.''
Individuals and community groups should to either write directly to the Patten Commission detailing their personal experience at the hands of the RUC or contact the Pat Finucane Centre or other advice centres.
The Independent Commission of Policing for Northern Ireland, Third Floor, Interpoint, 20-24 York Street, Belfast BT15 1AQ. Telephone (01232) 258848
or 67 Tufton Street, London SW1 P3QS. Telephone (0171) 777 2625.
On Monday the Commission's secretary told An Phoblacht they had only recieved a few hundred submissions. The commission was set up as part of the Good Friday document and is headed by MP John Patten the ex-Conservative minister and former governor of Hong Kong.
The Pat Finucane Centre urged ``people to take ownership of the commission and seriously consider making their own submissions.'' They added that individuals were experts on the RUC after being at the wrong end of 30 years of systematic abuses, beatings, harassment, intimidation and approaches.
Underlining the need for urgency in extending the 15 September deadline, the PFC said, ``effectively people could be excluded from the process.''
Individuals and community groups should to either write directly to the Patten Commission detailing their personal experience at the hands of the RUC or contact the Pat Finucane Centre or other advice centres.
The Independent Commission of Policing for Northern Ireland, Third Floor, Interpoint, 20-24 York Street, Belfast BT15 1AQ. Telephone (01232) 258848
or 67 Tufton Street, London SW1 P3QS. Telephone (0171) 777 2625.