CAMPAIGN LAUNCHED FOR TRUTH IN MURDERED LAWYER'S DEATH
A campaign to support the call from the Nelson family for an
independent, international investigation and judicial inquiry into the
murder of human rights lawyer, Rosemary Nelson was launched in Belfast
today.
The Rosemary Nelson Campaign supported by the Nelson and Magee families,
calls for both an independent, international investigation as well as a
wider independent, international, judicial inquiry into the
circumstances surrounding the murder of Rosemary Nelson. This follows
similar calls from others such as UN Special Rapporteur Param
Curamaswamy, Archbishop Sean Brady and leaders of Sinn Fein and the
SDLP. The passing of resolutions in both the European Parliament and
the United States Congress further strengthened this call.
At the launch, attended by a range of leading legal, human rights,
voluntary and community figures, Campaign spokesperson Dr. Robbie
McVeigh stated
“Human rights lawyers are in the frontline of the defence of human
rights around the world. In this context, the murder of Rosemary Nelson
was a direct and profound attack on the human rights of everybody in the
north of Ireland. Swift movement towards the establishing of a fully
independent investigation and inquiry into the circumstances surrounding
Rosemary’s death is the only way in which the human rights which were
guaranteed by the Belfast Agreement can be properly protected”.
At the event, attended by members of the Nelson and Magee families,
support for the campaign also came from Lurgan family priest Father
Kieran McPartland, and British human rights lawyer, Gareth Pierce.
Paul Nelson, husband of the murdered lawyer said;
“As I said at the time of Rosemary’s murder, her family have no
confidence in the current investigation into her murder, and have many
unanswered questions. We therefore support this campaign in the hope
that we may learn the truth about the circumstances surrounding
Rosemary’s murder”
In advance of the launch a range of activities have begun, including
resolutions to the European Parliament and United States Congress,
several petitions and a web site. The campaign announced a further
range of activities at the launch, including events in Ireland, Britain
and the United States to press for the campaign goals for an independent
investigation and independent, judicial inquiry.
ENDS
For Further Information Please Contact
Rosemary Nelson Campaign
PO box 1251, Belfast BT12 6DN
Tel. + 44 1232 220100 Fax +44 1232 220101
Notes To Editors
1. Members of the Nelson/Magee family will hope to be in attendance at
the launch.
2. Interviews and other details can be arranged through Majella
McCloskey
3. A press pack will be available at the launch, detailing reaction to
Ms Nelson’s murder, as well as her statements concerning threats against
her life and copies of recent resolutions and other developments.
4. Dr Robbie McVeigh has been appointed spokesperson for the Rosemary
Nelson Campaign. He works as a Researcher and has had a distinguished
career in both the academic and human rights fields, having previously
lectured in Sociology at Queens University Belfast and been employed as
a Researcher with the Committee on the Administration of Justice (CAJ).