Congressman Scott Garrett (R-NJ) Tells British Ambassador of His Support for a Public, Independent Finucane Inquiry

 

Congressman Scott Garrett marked the 20th anniversary of the murder of human rights lawyer Patrick Finucane by writting a letter to British Ambassador Nigel Sheinwald to express his continued support for a public, independent inquiry into the circumstances surrounding his death.  Special thanks to NJ 5&9 chapter member John Kennedy for his colossal efforts on this occasion.  The IAUC is encouraging its members and other concerned citizens to encourage their Congresspeople to write similar letters, and to send copies to President Obama and Secretary of State Clinton.

The text of the letter from Congressman Garrett follows:

February 12, 2009

Dear Mr. Ambassador:

I am writing to inform you of my support for a formal, comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death of Patrick Finucane, a human rights lawyer, who was murdered in Belfast on February 12, 1989.  Specifically, I support public inquiry into the murder under the format provided for in the 1921 Tribunal of Inquiries Act.

It has been precisely 20 years since the murder of Mr. Finucane.  At the time of his death, Mr. Finucane was only 39 years old.  Yet he had already achieved a reputation as a skilled and courageous litigator on behalf of his clients in Northern Ireland during the Troubles.  It has long been alleged that Mr. Finucane’s murder was part of an orchestrated effort in which British military intelligence and loyalist groups colluded.

Since his death, his family, friends and colleagues , as well as human rights organizations worldwide, have urged the British and Irish governments to commence an independent public inquiry into the circumstances surrounding his death.

By the way of this letter, I am adding my voice to that cause.  Thank you for your kind consideration.

Sincerely,

Scott Garrett

Member of Congress