U.S. HELSINKI COMMISSION TO HOLD HEARING ON HUMAN RIGHTS IN NORTHERN IRELAND

WASHINGTON – The Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe (U.S. Helsinki Commission) announced today the following hearing:

Prerequisites for Progress in Northern Ireland

Wednesday, March 21, 2012

2:00 p.m.

Room 2247 Rayburn House Office Building

After decades of political violence, the 1998 Good Friday Agreement began a new era of improved security and the promise of both reform and accountability to ensure lasting peace. The hearing will look at current challenges to full implementation of the agreement and the action that is necessary for continued confidence and progress in the peace process. This will include an examination of various mechanisms presently available for addressing past abuses and suggestions for moving forward, including in the case of murdered human rights lawyer Patrick Finucane.

The following witnesses are scheduled to testify:

Geraldine Finucane, widow of murdered human rights lawyer Patrick Finucane

Christopher Stanley, British-Irish Rights Watch

Mark Thompson, Director, Relatives for Justice