asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs up to what date the Government have complained to the European Commission on Human Rights about incidents of torture and brutality in the course of the interrogation of suspected persons in Northern Ireland; and having regard to continuing reports of ill-treatment, if a further complaint will now be lodged.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Human Rights Complaint.
3.
Our existing application to the European Commission on Human Rights relates to the period up to 22nd February, 1972. The Government are continuing to keep the matter of ill-treatment of persons under close examination.
Has the Minister taken note of reports of recent particularly brutal and cruel forms of torture in the course of interrogation and of the irrefutable evidence which is available, supported by medical reports, that a number of people have in fact been so mutilated in the course of interrogation that they have been refused admission to the prison hospital because of the unwillingness of the prison authorities to accept them in the injured condition in which they were delivered at the prison? Is he aware that at the moment some of these people are now in military hospitals because of the ill-treatment they received at the hands of the RUC Special Branch? In view of this, would the Minister not consider a matter of urgency the immediate presentation of a further complaint? It would seem that at least the earlier complaints did have the effect of stopping the ill-treatment for some time. I suggest that a further complaint might have a similar effect now.
As the Deputy understands, we have to present documentary evidence and we are collecting it.
May I take it that when the evidence is available the necessary complaint will be made?
Yes.
Has the Minister seen the report in last Monday's Irish Independent concerning the report of the association for legal justice? Does he not feel that following this information in this report a direct protest should be made to the British Government, to Mr. Heath and to Mr. Whitelaw regarding this continual brutality in an effort to ensure that this is stopped immediately and that an apology is received by the people concerned?
The Deputy can take it that direct contact with the British Government on these matters is reestablished and takes place. Bringing a Government case to the Court of Human Rights is a matter of having documentary evidence and this is being collected.
What reply did the Minister receive?
I do not usually say what reply I receive.
Has the Minister any indication as to when he may get a report back from the Commission on Human Rights and the normal length of time it takes for them to examine a case or cases?
It is quite slow, as the Deputy knows. There are delays because when a complaint is made time is given to the Government against whom the complaint is made to reply. We did submit supplementary material which caused the necessity for a further period to be given to the British Government. I cannot say how long it will take but it is a slow process.
Would the Minister have any idea whether it will be by the summer or the autumn or the winter?
I cannot say how long a particular case will take. The one in which I was involved before, not involving us, of the British Government took the most of two years. If the Deputy wants accuracy, like Deputy O'Donovan he will have to put down a question. That is from memory.