NCJ Number
65981
Date Published
1978
Length
74 pages
Annotation
THIS REPORT PRESENTS THE FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE RESEARCH MISSION SENT BY AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL TO NORTHERN IRELAND TO INVESTIGATE TWO ALLEGATIONS OF MALTREATMENT OF PRISONERS BY SECURITY FORCES.
Abstract
THE MISSION CONSISTED OF A DUTCH LAWYER, A DANISH DOCTOR, AND A MEMBER OF AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL'S SECRETARIAT. THE GROUP VISITED NORTHERN IRELAND FROM NOVEMBER 28 TO DECEMBER 6, 1977. A SECOND DANISH DOCTOR JOINED THE GROUP ON DECEMBER 1. THE TEAM INTERVIEWED ORGANIZATIONS AND INDIVIDUALS IN THREE CITIES. THOSE INTERVIEWED INCLUDED 52 PERSONS WHO ALLEGED THAT THEY HAD BEEN MALTREATED WHILE IN POLICE CUSTODY, LAWYERS, DOCTORS, POLITICIANS, POLICE OFFICALS, AND OTHERS. DATA FROM 26 OTHER CASES OF ALLEGED MALTREATMENT AND LEGAL PROCEDURES FOR ARREST AND DETENTION, AND FOR INVESTIGATION OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT MALTREATMENT, WERE ALSO INVESTIGATED. THE INVESTIGATORS CONCLUDED THAT MALTREATMENT OF SUSPECTED TERRORISTS BY THE ROYAL ULSTER CONSTABULARY (RUC) HAS OCCURRED OFTEN ENOUGH TO WARRANT A PUBLIC INQUIRY. EVIDENCE DOES NOT SUGGEST, HOWEVER, THAT UNIFORMED RUC MEMBERS ARE INVOLVED IN THE MALTREATMENT. LEGAL CHANGES WHICH HAVE ERODED SUSPECTS' RIGHTS HAVE PROMOTED THE MALTREATMENT AND THE MACHINERY FOR INVESTIGATING COMPLAINTS OF MALTREATMENT IS INADEQUATE. IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT A PUBLIC INQUIRY ON MALTREATMENT BE CONDUCTED ON THE ISSUES RAISED IN THIS REPORT AND THAT, PENDING THIS INVESTIGATION, MEASURES TO PROTECT SUSPECTED TERRORISTS INTERVIEWED BY THE RUC BE IMPLEMENTED. NUMEROUS CASE REPORTS, A GLOSSARY, AND POLITICAL BACKGROUND INFORMATION ARE INCLUDED. (CJW)