Engel Supports Finucane Resolution

ENGEL SUPPORTS FINUCANE RESOLUTION

Congressman Eliot Engel (D-NY) added his voice to a House of Representatives resolution which calls on Britain to establish an independent, public judicial inquiry into allegations of collusion between Protestant gunmen and British security forces in the murder of Patrick Finucane. It passed early this morning in the House of Representatives by a vote of 390-5.

On February 12, 1989, human rights defense attorney and solicitor Patrick Finucane was brutally murdered in front of his wife and children at his home in Belfast. There have been serious allegations of collusion between loyalist paramilitaries and British security forces in the murder of Mr. Finucane.

Engel said, "In July 2001, the Irish and British Governments made new commitments (in the Weston Park Agreement) to hold public inquiries into high profile murders if so recommended by former Canadian Supreme Court Judge Peter Cory. Indeed, Judge Cory, after investigating the Finucane murder, concluded there was strong evidence of collusion by the British Army, enough to warrant a public inquiry into his murder."

Loyalist paramilitary gunmen shot Mr. Finucane 14 times as he sat eating a Sunday meal at home, wounding his wife in the process. The couple's three children witnessed the 1989 attack. In its statement claiming the killing, the UFF said they had killed "Pat Finucane, the IRA officer". While Mr. Finucane had represented IRA members, the family has vehemently denied the allegation - and have been supported in this by the police.

Rep. Engel continued, "I have met several times with the Finucane family and human rights groups dedicated to a just inquiry into Patrick's murder. Let their courage and determination be a symbol to all those fighting to uncover the truth of such horrors. As Judge Cory himself said, ‘Without public scrutiny, doubts based solely on myth and suspicion will linger long, fester and spread their malignant infection through the Northern Ireland community.'

"I would also like to commend Mitchell Reiss, the special envoy for the Northern Ireland Peace Process, who is continuing to push for full implementation of an appropriate investigation into Patrick Finucane's murder.

"It is my hope that in the days ahead, Britain will reconsider its position on the Finucane case and will immediately establish a full, independent, public judicial inquiry into the murder of Pat Finucane, as recommended by Judge Cory. Such an inquiry will have the support of the Finucane family and the confidence of all who follow this case," concluded Engel.

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