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New Northern Ireland (Emergency Provisions) Bill (1)

01 January 1991

New Northern Ireland (Emergency Provisions) Bill
artdoc May=1991

The new Emergency Provisions Bill which has been working its way through the
British parliament ignores most of the recommendations for change proposed by
Lord Colville, appointed by the government to review emergency legislation. The
Bill (and its forerunners) provides the legal basis for the one-judge, no-jury
Diplock courts, as well as powers to ban organisations and search premises. The
Bill introduces some new powers. It is being proposed that the RUC, UDR and
British army will have unrestricted power to seize documents, computer discs,
notebooks, solicitors case notes etc, though the latter is being strongly
contested by the profession. There will be a new offence of going equipped for
terrorism (eg wearing rubber gloves) as recommended by Colville. The
authorities will be able to charge people for using border crossings which have
been closed and to confiscate any equipment (tractors, JCBs etc) believed to be
used to re-open such roads. This reflects the growing intensity of the border
conflict. Local residents are active in re-opening roads, only to find them re-
blocked or blown up by the army. In response to IRA attacks on border
checkpoints, from December 1990 four minor crossings were closed at night by the
security forces, forcing local people to make lengthy detours. At the end of the
committee stage of the Bill, two new clauses were added. Firstly, there is to
be a new offence of directing terrorism (the `Godfather clause') and secondly
the authorities will be able to appoint special investigators with sweeping
powers of investigation and cross-examination. Internment is to remain on the
statute book.
(Irish News 5.12.90; 4.2.91; Briefings by Committee on the Administration of
Justice & Standing Advisory Committee on Human Rights)

Statewatch no.1 March/April 1991

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