Northern Ireland: State of Emergency (1)
01 January 1991
Northern Ireland: State of Emergency
artdoc August=1991
As the British government continues to seek a basis for talks on
the future government of the North of Ireland, it is
simultaneously strengthening its emergency powers and
military/police forces. During the House of Lords Committee state
of the Emergency Provisions Bill, the government introduced
further amendments, some of which are described as `safeguards'.
A new power permits `civilian specialists' to accompany RUC/army
search teams when raiding homes and other premises. If, during
the course of exercising their emergency powers, the authorities
stumble across an offence which they take to be in some way
`connected with the emergency', this offence will be `scheduled',
and therefore tried by a jury-less Diplock Court. Presenting
this as an anti-racketeering measure, and citing the case of Al
Capone, Lord Belstead said that `experience in Northern Ireland
and elsewhere was that the criminals who engage in racketeering
often fail to meet their other obligations under the law'.
Northern Ireland Information Service, 13.5.91.
Resisting the argument that PACE provisions should apply to the
detention and interrogation of people seized under emergency
powers, the government is `prepared to consider' the appointment
of a Commissioner to monitor what goes on in the `terrorist
holding centres' and will introduce a statutory code of practice
on the detention, treatment, questioning and identification of
suspects (see Irish News, 25.4.91). Meanwhile, reports of
physical ill-treatment continue to emerge (eg Amnesty
International 1991; Irish News, 15.6.91).
In March, 500 extra troops arrived in the North to reinforce
border garrisons, this was followed by another 500 at the end of
May bringing the total to around 11,500 (in addition to the
6,200 members of the UDR). The RUC is seeking government approval
to increase its numbers by 400. As part of this recruitment
drive, the Chief Constable, Hugh Annesley, is campaigning to
increase the proportion of Catholics in the RUC, currently
running at under 7% (see Irish News, 1.3.91; 11.3.91; 20.3.91;
18.6.91).
Statewatch no 3 July/August 1991