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SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR ON INDEPENDENCE OF JUDICIARY CALLS FOR INDEPENDENT INVESTIGATION INTO MURDER OF NORTHERN IRELAND HUMAN RIGHTS ATTORNEY
16 March 1999
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HR/99/21
16 March 1999
The Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers, Param Cumaraswamy, was saddened last night to learn of the tragic murder of solicitor Rosemary Nelson, who died from injuries suffered in a car bomb attack outside her home in Lurgan, County Armagh, on Monday.
Ms. Nelson had received numerous death threats during the past few years as a result of her defence work. In an urgent action transmitted to the Government in August 1997, the Special Rapporteur intervened on behalf of Ms. Nelson as a result of the death threats she had received for her representation of a client accused of murdering two Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC) officers.
It was also alleged, in relation to the representation of a residents' group who oppose marching by the Orange Order through their nationalist housing estate, that she had been verbally and physically abused while attempting to intervene with an RUC officer who had cordoned off the area. She was also allegedly struck on the back of the head with a police riot shield while intervening on behalf of a boy who was allegedly being ill-treated by an RUC officer. At that time, the Special Rapporteur had called upon the Government to investigate these allegations and to ensure the security of Ms. Nelson.
During a mission to Northern Ireland in October 1997, the Special Rapporteur had the honour and pleasure of meeting Ms. Nelson. At that time she had informed him of further threats and intimidation she had received. Based upon all the information received from solicitors he met while in Northern Ireland, the Special Rapporteur concluded that the "RUC has engaged in activities which constitute intimidation, hindrance, harassment and improper interference. The Special Rapporteur is particularly concerned by the fact that the RUC has identified solicitors with their clients or their clients causes as a result of discharging their functions" (document E/CN.4/1998/39/Add.4). He recommended an independent and impartial investigation into the allegations and called upon the Government to take the necessary steps to ensure the physical security of those solicitors who had received threats.
The Special Rapporteur has subsequently learned that an independent investigation had been initiated by the Metropolitan Police to look into the threats received by Ms. Nelson. This investigation is still ongoing.
The Special Rapporteur calls upon the Government to establish an independent and impartial commission of inquiry to investigate this brutal crime, to apprehend those responsible and to bring them to justice.
The Special Rapporteur would also like to express his heartfelt condolences to the family of Ms. Nelson, as well as her friends and colleagues.
16 March 1999
The Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers, Param Cumaraswamy, was saddened last night to learn of the tragic murder of solicitor Rosemary Nelson, who died from injuries suffered in a car bomb attack outside her home in Lurgan, County Armagh, on Monday.
Ms. Nelson had received numerous death threats during the past few years as a result of her defence work. In an urgent action transmitted to the Government in August 1997, the Special Rapporteur intervened on behalf of Ms. Nelson as a result of the death threats she had received for her representation of a client accused of murdering two Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC) officers.
It was also alleged, in relation to the representation of a residents' group who oppose marching by the Orange Order through their nationalist housing estate, that she had been verbally and physically abused while attempting to intervene with an RUC officer who had cordoned off the area. She was also allegedly struck on the back of the head with a police riot shield while intervening on behalf of a boy who was allegedly being ill-treated by an RUC officer. At that time, the Special Rapporteur had called upon the Government to investigate these allegations and to ensure the security of Ms. Nelson.
During a mission to Northern Ireland in October 1997, the Special Rapporteur had the honour and pleasure of meeting Ms. Nelson. At that time she had informed him of further threats and intimidation she had received. Based upon all the information received from solicitors he met while in Northern Ireland, the Special Rapporteur concluded that the "RUC has engaged in activities which constitute intimidation, hindrance, harassment and improper interference. The Special Rapporteur is particularly concerned by the fact that the RUC has identified solicitors with their clients or their clients causes as a result of discharging their functions" (document E/CN.4/1998/39/Add.4). He recommended an independent and impartial investigation into the allegations and called upon the Government to take the necessary steps to ensure the physical security of those solicitors who had received threats.
The Special Rapporteur has subsequently learned that an independent investigation had been initiated by the Metropolitan Police to look into the threats received by Ms. Nelson. This investigation is still ongoing.
The Special Rapporteur calls upon the Government to establish an independent and impartial commission of inquiry to investigate this brutal crime, to apprehend those responsible and to bring them to justice.
The Special Rapporteur would also like to express his heartfelt condolences to the family of Ms. Nelson, as well as her friends and colleagues.