Dear :

I am writing to ask you to urge the government of the United Kingdom to ban the use of plastic bullets in Northern Ireland. Plastic bullets have caused the death of fourteen people in Northern Ireland since 1974, including seven children. The continued use of plastic bullets by the security forces in Northern Ireland shows a disregard for the human rights of citizens of the United Kingdom.

The use of plastic bullets has been condemned by numerous human rights organizations and the European Union. The U.K. does not use plastic bullets in England, Scotland or Wales. Plastic bullets are responsible for death, disfigurement, blindness, and shattered bones. The United States Congress, in H. Con. Res. 152, passed in March 1998, "condemns the violence committed on all sides of the conflict in Northern Ireland as illegal, unjust, and inhumane" and states that "human rights should be protected for all citizens and any peace agreement in Northern Ireland must recognize the state's obligation to protect human rights in all circumstances." Plastic bullets are an inherently violent and potentially lethal form of crowd control. We must fully support Congress in its resolve to end violence and protect human rights in Northern Ireland.

I am seriously concerned that the use of plastic bullets will fuel tensions associated with the 1998 marching season and further violence will result. These tensions could serve to undermine on-going efforts to implement the April 1998 Multi-Party Agreement. In future meetings and other venues where Northern Ireland is discussed, I ask you to urge Prime Minister Tony Blair, Northern Ireland Secretary of State Marjorie Mowlam, and other U.K. government officials to ban the use of plastic bullets in Northern Ireland.

Sincerely,

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