HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS CONGRATULATES 1998 NOBEL PEACE PRIZE LAUREATES

HR/98/76
16 October 1998


The following statement was issued today by High Commissioner for Human Rights Mary Robinson:

It was with great joy that I heard that John Hume and David Trimble have been honoured with the 1998 Nobel Peace Prize.

For the past thirty years we have seen both terrible violations of human rights and constant attempts at reconciliation and peace-building in Northern Ireland.

It took enormous personal courage from many individuals and communities to reach the Good Friday peace agreement. I know that John Hume and David Trimble will have this in mind as they accept the prize and I congratulate them warmly on their leadership and well deserved recognition.