HUMAN RIGHTS IN NORTHERN IRELAND

WHEREAS, the conflict in Northern Ireland continues with weekly loss of life and limb; and

WHEREAS, British forces have lost their credibility as a pacifying and neutralist force in Northern Ireland; and

WHEREAS, the British government has made no new initiatives for the settlement of this tragic conflict despite the desires of the British people for ending Britain's role; and

WHEREAS, British authorities in Northern Ireland have been found guilty of serious human rights violations (and violations of the Helsinki agreement) in Northern Ireland by Amnesty International, and the European Commission on Human Rights; and

WHEREAS, two police surgeons attached to the British forces in Northern Ireland have recently testified to the practice of torture in the interrogation of prisoners in Northern Ireland; and

WHEREAS, various American leaders supported by AFT locals, such as Senator Moynihan, House Speaker O'Neill and Governor Carey have demanded new initiatives for peace in Northern Ireland; and

WHEREAS, the AFT has consistently condemned violation of human rights throughout the world; and

WHEREAS, the AFT condemns the practice of terrorism by any and all parties to this conflict as a means of solving this problem:

RESOLVED, that the AFT supports efforts of such political leaders as Messrs. Carey, O'Neill and Moynihan to secure an immediate peaceful solution to the Northern Ireland crisis; and

RESOLVED, that the AFT urges President Carter to use his considerable influence to make new proposals for a peaceful settlement to the Northern Ireland crisis; and

RESOLVED, that the AFT demands that Britain cease its violation of human rights (and its violations of the Helsinki agreement) in Northern Ireland; and

RESOLVED, that the AFT urges Britain to make a phased withdrawal of its military forces from Northern Ireland as a first step in creating a climate for a peaceful settlement acceptable to all parties; and

RESOLVED, that the AFT urges all parties to the dispute to implement a cease-fire while discussion for a peaceful solution gets underway, and that this cease-fire be enforced by an impartial, international police force drawn from the U.N., the European economic community, or NATO countries.