The British government has been criticised by its own human rights watchdog body for extending emergency legislation in Northern Ireland until 2000.
The Standing Advisory Commission on Human Rights, set up to advise the Northern Secretary, said in view of the British government's statements about the nature of the ceasefires, it was difficult to see how extension of the legislation could be squared with its commitments under the European Convention on Human Rights.
The Northern Ireland Emergency Provisions Bill, which proposes extension of emergency legislation, is to complete its final stages in the House of Commons today.