Belfast murder is major human rights abuse

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Fri 4th May 2001

Alliance Party Justice Spokesperson, Stephen Farry has condemned this afternoon's murder in Belfast City Centre, and on the day of the European Court judgment, asked how many people are going to condemn this abuse of human rights.

Stephen Farry said:

"Once again, a human life has been taken with impunity, this time in broad deadlight in the centre of Belfast."

"Such murders are the greatest abuses of human right possible."

"Today, the news agenda has been dominated by the statement of the judgment of the European Court that the human rights of IRA members on 'active service' were abused by the failure of the authorities to properly investigate their deaths."

"What this judgment says that is every citizen, irrespective of their background or conduct, are entitled to have their rights protected - the rule of law must be paramount."

"Yet, how many people are going to speak out about the human rights abuses involved in this brutal murder."

ENDS.