It is absolutely necessary the inquiry into the murder of solicitor Rosemary Nelson be fully independent, the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ms Liz O'Donnell, has told a United Nations commission.
Addressing the UN Commission for Human Rights in Geneva yesterday, Ms O'Donnell said she welcomed assurances on this issue given by the British Prime Minister, Mr Tony Blair, to the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, in Berlin earlier this week.
The Minister added: "Rosemary Nelson was no stranger to the mechanisms of the UN Commission on Human Rights. She believed in them deeply and sought to use them to alleviate injustice against those she represented."
The Lurgan lawyer's murder showed graphically the immediate relevance of the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on the Independence of Judges and Lawyers, Mr Param Cumaraswamy. He had drawn attention to the question of the intimidation and harassment of defence lawyers in Northern Ireland.
Mr Cumaraswamy had "dealt comprehensively" with the murder 10 years ago of the Belfast solicitor, Mr Pat Finucane, Ms O'Donnell said. A report by the British Irish Rights Watch into his murder contained fresh evidence and allegations of collusion.
"This report raises issues of the most fundamental concern to this commission and to all who uphold human rights and the rule of law. The Irish Government will be urging the relevant authorities to respond fully to the report in the context of the now-widespread calls for an independent inquiry into Mr Finucane's murder."
The new agreed Northern Ireland emerging from 30 years of conflict would be complemented and underpinned by the systematic protection of civil and political rights.