Chris Smith: “Let me just close by noting that House Concurrent Resolution 152 puts Congress on record as supporting not just the…”

“Let me just close by noting that House Concurrent Resolution 152 puts Congress on record as supporting not just the peace process, which we all want hostilities to end, but also to put human rights at the core, at the center of those negotiations. It is timely and needed and will help ensure that human rights concerns are in no way overlooked when the final document is produced. Mr. Speaker, the history of the ``Troubles'' of Northern Ireland are marked by violent crimes of parliamentary groups and at times by agents of the British government. The failure of the British government to protect the human rights of its citizens, especially Catholics in the north of Ireland, have helped to fuel the violence. Notwithstanding the abuses perpetrated by partisan paramilitary forces or by the police, for that matter, we must remember that the essential responsibility for protecting rights and maintaining the rule of law belongs to the government which, in this case, at this particular time, is the British government.”