[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 59 (Wednesday, April 28, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E798-E799]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  CONDEMNING MURDER OF ROSEMARY NELSON AND CALLING FOR PROTECTION OF 
                 DEFENSE ATTORNEYS IN NORTHERN IRELAND

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                         HON. MICHAEL F. DOYLE

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 20, 1999

  Mr. DOYLE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to condemn the senseless and 
brutal murder of Ms. Rosemary Nelson. As a human rights lawyer who 
represented the rights of peace-loving Catholics in Northern Ireland, 
Ms. Nelson and her family endured constant threats, violence, and 
intimidation at the hands of the state police force, the Royal Ulster 
Constabulary (RUC).
  Despite the massive daily threats and concerted campaign of nightly 
fire bombings against Catholics in the area, Rosemary Nelson continued 
to be an outspoken proponent of peace and the rights of the victims 
facing such violence. Late in 1998, she traveled to Washington to 
testify before the House Committee on International Relations regarding 
the campaign of terror perpetrated against the Catholic minority in her 
home land. Even though a United Nations special Rapporteur and given 
accounts of consistent and systematic physical intimidation against 
defense lawyers by RUC officers, Ms. Nelson would not be deterred from 
her course.
  Rosemary Nelson was a true champion of peace, and gallantly defended 
the freedoms of a repressed minority in County Armagh in Northern 
Ireland. Sadly, Ms. Nelson paid the ultimate sacrifice for striving to 
uphold those freedoms after a cowardly placed bomb exploded under her 
car this past March. True to her robust Irish spirit, Ms. Nelson 
tenaciously fought for life, but her injuries proved to be too 
extensive. She passed away on March 15th, 1999.
  Now, other courageous individuals must carry on with Rosemary 
Nelson's legacy of fighting for justice and equality. Her death has

[[Page E799]]

served to draw even more attention to this troubled area, and the many 
grave faults of the RUC. I am proud to have voted in support of House 
Resolution 128 and heartened that this legislation passed the House by 
an overwhelming margin. Very soon, I hope to see the government of the 
United Kingdom launch an independent inquiry into the practices of the 
Royal Ulster Constabulary and their role in the murder of Rosemary 
Nelson.
  Earlier this month, the United States, Northern Ireland, and the 
United Kingdom celebrated the year anniversary of the Good Friday Peace 
Accords. This action provides encouragement for the future of this 
troubled region that the youth of tomorrow will outgrow the prejudices 
and hatred of the past. There have been significant strides for peace 
made in Northern Ireland and much progress has been made, but we must 
be ever vigilant for those who still refuse to give up the old ways of 
violence. We must stand up for human rights, just like Rosemary Nelson, 
and continue to send a message that acts of violence will not be 
tolerated any longer.

                          ____________________