Human Rights Watch warned today that the success of the Northern Ireland peace agreement may lie in the way it addresses human rights.
In an analysis released today, the New York-based group assesses the human rights provisions in the peace accord and urges the United Kingdom to immediately stop abuses by its security forces.
The document, entitled Justice for All? An Analysis of the Human Rights Provisions of 1998 Northern Ireland Peace Accord, calls attention to three key principles: that human rights issues are central to the success of the proposed political arrangements in Northern Ireland; that implementing the human rights provisions must not take second place to developing new political institutions; and that the U.K. government must conform to its existing obligations under international law by addressing immediately human rights concerns that fall outside the agreement. Human Rights Watch urged the U.K. government to improve its human rights performance in Northern Ireland, even before the referendum is held on May 22.
"The peace agreement is important, but it's not the only game in town," said Julia Hall, counsel in the Europe and Central Asia Division at Human Rights Watch. "People whose rights are being violated now cannot wait until next summer for answers. The government should implement immediately a `zero tolerance' policy for abusive police practices."
Hall noted that the "marching season" in Northern Ireland, the period from April to August when street demonstrations are particularly frequent, is fast approaching. She called upon the U.K. government to take special precautions to prevent police brutality this year.
