Council of Europe reopens review into murder of Belfast solicitor Patrick Finucane

There is an article published today by the Celtic League about the murder of Pat Finucane. In 1989 Pat Finucane (39) was shot dead by loyalists at his home in north Belfast. It happened in front of his wife Geraldine, who was also injured, and their children Michael, Katherine and John.  It was found that loyalist paramilitaries were acting in collusion with the British government intelligence services. It is not the only such case of murders by loyalist gangs said to be acting with the alleged connivance of British security agencies.

Two public investigations concluded that elements of the British security forces colluded in Pat Finucane's murder. A subsequent review carried out by lawyer Sir Desmond de Silva QC also confirmed agents of the state were involved. Former British Prime Minister David Cameron acknowledged “shocking levels of collusion”. Although he issued an apology he reneged on a previous administration’s commitment to hold a public inquiry into the killing. 

Now the Council of Europe, which is separate from the European Union (EU), is to reopen its review into the 1989 murder. The announcement was made on Friday and follows the UK government's decision last November not to hold a public inquiry. The Council of Europe, oversees the European court of human rights (ECHR)..

The Council of Europe (CoE) is an international organisation founded in the wake of World War II to uphold human rights, democracy and the rule of law in Europe. It has 47 member states. Pat Finucane’s son John who is an elected Sinn Féin Member of Parliament for the constituency of Belfast North, described the Council of Europe decision as a:‘Hugely significant move’. The article by the Celtic League is printed below:

"Council of Europe of Europe Move Gives Impetus to Finucane Murder Probe 

The Council of Europe is to initiate action over the murder of Belfast solicitor Pat Finucane. The Controversial murder of Mr Finucane is alleged to have been carried out by loyalist murder gangs orchestrated by the British Intellence Services. It is one of a number of controversial cases another of which is the killing of Belfast solicitor Rosemary Nelson.
The Irish Law Society reports:
“The body’s Committee of Ministers said the move was being made “in order to supervise the ongoing measures to ensure that they are adequate, sufficient and proceed in a timely manner”.
“They also called on the UK authorities to clarify how the ongoing police and Office of the Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland (OPONI) processes would proceed promptly, and in line with standards set out in the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR).”
Full link:
https://www.lawsociety.ie/.../council-of-europe-to.../
Pat Finucane’s son John who is a Member of Parliament described the Council of Europe decision as a:
‘Hugely significant move’
Related link:
https://www.theguardian.com/.../council-of-europe-to...
Image. Council of Europe - Inset Pat Finucane
Bernard Moffatt
Assistant General Secretary
Celtic League"