Northern Ireland: State of Emergency
01 July 1991
As the British government continues to seek a basis for talks on the future government of the North of Ireland, it is simultaneously strengthening its emergency powers and military/police forces. During the House of Lords Committee state of the Emergency Provisions Bill, the government introduced further amendments, some of which are described as 'safeguards'.
A new power permits 'civilian specialists' to accompany RUC/army search teams when raiding homes and other premises. If, during the course of exercising their emergency powers, the authorities stumble across an offence which they take to be in some way connected with the emergency this offence will be 'scheduled', and therefore tried by a jury-less Diplock Court. Presenting this as an anti-racketeering measure, and citing the case of Al Capone, Lord Belstead said that "experience in Northern Ireland and elsewhere was that the criminals who engage in racketeering often fail to meet their other obligations under the law" (Northern Ireland Information Service 13.5.91).
Resisting the argument that PACE provisions should apply to the detention and interrogation of people seized under emergency powers, the government is "prepared to consider" the appointment of a Commissioner to monitor what goes on in the "terrorist holding centres" and will introduce a statutory code of practice on the detention, treatment, questioning and identification of suspects (see Irish News 25.4.91). Meanwhile, reports of physical ill-treatment continue to emerge (eg Amnesty International 1991; Irish News 15.6.91).
In March, 500 extra troops arrived in the North to reinforce border garrisons, this was followed by another 500 at the end of May bringing the total to around 11,500 (in addition to the 6,200 members of the UDR). The RUC is seeking government approval to increase its numbers by 400. As part of this recruitment drive, the Chief Constable, Hugh Annesley, is campaigning to increase the proportion of Catholics in the RUC, currently running at under 7% (see Irish News, 1.3.91; 11.3.91; 20.3.91; 18.6.91).