An international campaign was launched today to press the British government for a fully independent inquiry into the murder of Northern Ireland solicitor Pat Finucane.
Today marks the 20th anniversary of what remains one of the most controversial killings of the Troubles, with security forces found to have colluded in the lawyer’s murder.
The 39-year-old father-of-three was shot dead by loyalists in front of his family at their north Belfast home on February 12, 1989.
Amnesty International has launched a campaign to push for a fully independent investigation after the British government offered a public inquiry into the case, but insisted it take place under new legislation which critics claim gives ministers undue influence.
“On this day in 1989, Patrick Finucane was shot dead in front of his wife and three children,” said Amnesty International UK director Kate Allen.
“Twenty years on, the truth about his killing is still kept from them and from the public.
“With each day that passes, the chances of an inquiry uncovering that truth get smaller.
“Already at least two potentially crucial witnesses have died.”
Amnesty has now launched a global online appeal on its UK and international websites urging people to write both to Prime Minister Gordon Brown and Northern Ireland Secretary Shaun Woodward demanding an independent inquiry.
The Finucane family has refused to accept the inquiry offered by Downing Street and demanded an investigation free of British Government control.
This weekend the 20th anniversary of Mr Finucane’s death will be marked by a major conference at Dublin’s Trinity College.
Mr Finucane’s widow Geraldine, wounded in the attack which killed her husband, will address the event, as will former UN investigator Param Cumaraswamy and Canadian judge Peter Cory, who each investigated the solicitor’s murder.
In the immediate aftermath of the killing, allegations of a security force role were made by the Finucane family.
And while the claims were rejected by security forces, disturbing details behind the assassination later emerged.
Army agent Brian Nelson was found to have planned the killing, while RUC agent Billy Stobie was found to have provided the weapon.
Four years ago loyalist Ken Barrett pleaded guilty to the charge of murdering Mr Finucane. In a documentary he had been secretly filmed claiming police urged loyalists to shoot the solicitor.
PA