MEMBERS of a US Congress sub-committee on international operations and human rights have criticised Britain's failure to establish justice and peace in the region after 29 years of conflict.
Addressing Northern Ireland human rights issues on Capitol Hill yesterday, Congressman Benjamin Gilman (Republican-New York), chairman of the House Committee on International Relations, called "the use of plastic bullets in the North of Ireland but not in the rest of Great Britain one of the most shocking abuses in this year's State Department human rights report.
"It is particularly ironic that these plastic bullets are not used by British authorities in serious race or youth riots in places like Leeds and elsewhere in England," he added. "Nothing better illustrates the `second-class status' of the nationalist community in the North of Ireland."
The 17 deaths from plastic bullets, including eight young children, are "intolerable for Europe" or anywhere, he said.
The sub-committee chairman, Congressman Christopher H. Smith (Republican-New Jersey), also claimed that "the British government, America's trusted ally, is the object of serious and credible charges of disrespect for the rule of law in the North of
Ireland".
He condemned the killing of Constable Greg Taylor, kicked to death by loyalists in Ballymoney, and the murder of two RUC officers by IRA gunmen. "And just this weekend two men were injured by a car bomb, an apparent loyalist retaliation for the recent murder of the two policemen."
Congressman Peter King (Republican-New York), who has visited Northern Ireland over many years, said he long ago discovered that the violation of, the basic human rights of Irish nationalists existed since the foundation of the State.
Mr Patrick Finucane, a solicitor who defended nationalists, was killed with the co-operation of the police and the British army, Mr King claimed.
"We have to speak out," he said, until "state-sponsored terrorism is rooted out once and for all" and "systemic British violence in Northern Ireland ends".
Relatives of those killed by members of the security forces and loyalists were accompanied to the hearings by Mgr Raymond Murray, who gave members of Congress a precis of human rights violations over the last 25 years.
Mr Michael Finucane, son of the murdered solicitor, concluded his statement with an appeal: "In order that my family and I can reclaim our shattered lives, we ask that the British government conspiracy behind the murder of Patrick Finucane be investigated and exposed."
Congressman Roberd Menendez (Democrat-New Jersey), said: "Since Tony Blair has taken office, we have seen more progress in Northern Ireland than during the entire two terms of his predecessor. The recent murders of two police officers have frustrated attempts at peace..."
"This is a moment for restraint. Those who have argued for peace and justice in Northern Ireland must speak out when we see injustice on the other side."
He found it intolerable for a country with Britain's history to stoop to methods in Northern Ireland employed by military dictators.