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New Northern Ireland (Emergency Provisions) Bill

01 March 1991

The new Emergency Provisions Bill which has been working its way through the British parliament ignores most of the recommendations for change proposed by Lord Colville appointed by the government to review emergency legislation. The Bill (and its forerunners) provides the legal basis for the one-judge no- jury Diplock courts as well as powers to ban organisations and search premises. The Bill introduces some new powers. It is being proposed that the RUC UDR and British army will have unrestricted power to seize documents, computer, discs notebooks, solicitors case notes, etc. though the latter is being strongly contested by the profession. There will be a new offence of going equipped for terrorism (eg wearing rubber gloves) as recommended by Colville. The authorities will be able to charge people for using border crossings which have been closed and to confiscate any equipment (tractors JCBs etc) believed to be used to re-open such roads. This reflects the growing intensity of the border conflict. Local residents are active in re-opening roads only to find them re-blocked or blown up by the army. In response to IRA attacks on border checkpoints from December 1990 four minor crossings were closed at night by the security forces forcing local people to make lengthy detours. At the end of the committee stage of the Bill two new clauses were added. Firstly there is to be a new offence of directing terrorism (the Godfather clause ) and secondly the authorities will be able to appoint special investigators with sweeping powers of investigation and cross-examination. Internment is to remain on the statute book. Irish News 5.12.90; 4.2.91; Briefings by Committee on the Administration of Justice & Standing Advisory Committee on Human Rights