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NI: "RUC Watch" launched

01 November 1998

Sinn Fein has launched a "RUC Watch" initiative which will monitor and record police actions "which constitute gross human rights violations against nationalists [which] are occurring daily." The initiative follows on from the recent United Nations Committee Against Torture report which condemned Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC) human rights violations concerning interrogations, the use of emergency legislation and the deployment of plastic bullets. In the six months since the signing of the Good Friday Agreement the Sinn Fein newspaper, An Phoblacht, has reported over 300 incidents involving sectarian RUC treatment of the nationalist community. These include almost 50 incidents of harassment against peaceful demonstrators; 70 incidents of harassment, intimidation and assault; 30 serious injuries (including eight plastic bullet injuries); 16 cases where the RUC failed to intervene during sectarian attacks; 36 cases of intimidation during recruitment approaches and over 30 house raids and 70 arbitrary arrests. Speaking of the initiative Sinn Fein spokesman, Fra McCann, commented:

"In the past nationalist communities have survived by absorbing rather than highlighting harassment by the RUC...If the hopes of the Irish people are to be realised, the actions of the RUC must be placed on public record. I would urge everyone whose rights are violated by the RUC to contact Sinn Fein's ""RUC Watch" initiative to register their complaint."

Incidents involving the RUC can be put on record by telephoning "RUC Watch" on 01232 326644 or An Phoblacht on 01232 600279.

An Phoblacht 26.11.98.