Download or read book Third Report of the Independent Monitoring Commission written by Great Britain. Parliament House of Commons. Independent Monitoring Commission and published by . This book was released on 2004-11-04 with total page 52 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The Commission was set up by the British and Irish Governments in January 2004 to monitor the incidence of alleged activities of paramilitary groups in Northern Ireland, to investigate claims that Assembly parties or Members are in breach of commitments under the Belfast Agreement, and to recommend appropriate remedial action to be taken by the Northern Ireland Assembly. This report focuses on the continuing activities of paramilitary groups including the incidence of violence and exiling; organised crime and other illegal activity; leadership of paramilitary groups; and a number of other issues including restorative justice, ending deference and legitimacy to paramilitaries, allegations of collusion and paramilitary funding of political parties.

Download or read book Nineteenth Report of the Independent Monitoring Commission written by Independent Monitoring Commission and published by The Stationery Office. This book was released on 2008 with total page 20 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This ad hoc report is the response to a request from the British and Irish governments for a fuller assessment of the completion of the transformation of the Provisional IRA (PIRA). In July 2005 PIRA formally announced the end of its armed campaign and instructed its volunteers to cease all activities and to commit to exclusively peaceful means to pursue its objectives. In September 2005 it decommissioned its weapons. There have been further changes and developments since then: the decision of Sinn Fâin to support policing and the criminal justice system; Sinn Fâin's entry into the Northern Ireland Executive in May 2007; the number of people making the transition from PIRA to Sinn Fâin. The Commission firmly believes the PIRA is set on and will remain on the political path and does not represent a threat to peace or democratic politics. PIRA, as an organisation, no longer does what it used to do, and by design it is being allowed to wither away. The way in which its leadership has changed the nature of the organisation makes it highly unlikely that PIRA will ever re-emerge as a terrorist organisation. PIRA has completely relinquished the leadership and other structures appropriate to a time of armed conflict.

Download or read book Twenty fifth report of the Independent Monitoring Commission written by Independent Monitoring Commission and published by The Stationery Office. This book was released on 2010-11-04 with total page 48 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This report focuses mainly on paramilitiary activity in the six month period 1 March to 31 August 2010. Dissident republican groups continued to pose a substantial and potentially lethal threat, especially to the security forces. They are also held to be responsible for several outbreaks of disorder, involving hijacking and burning of vehicles. On the Loyalist side, most groups were not engaged in terrorist activity though there is still evidence of heavy involvement in serious criminal activity.

Download or read book Twentieth Report of the Independent Monitoring Commission written by Independent Monitoring Commission and published by The Stationery Office. This book was released on 2008 with total page 48 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This report on the continuing activities of paramilitary groups focuses mainly on the six month period 1 September 2007 to 29 February 2008. Of the republican groups, the Commission finds that âgliagh nâireann (ONH), Continuity Irish Republican Army (CIRA), Irish National Liberation Army (INLA) and the Real Irish Republican Army (RIRA) remain involved in serious crime and violence, and are still a threat. The Provisional Irish republican Army (PIRA), as reported in the Commission's last two reports, is committed to an exclusively political path. Of the loyalist groups, the Loyalist Volunteer Force (LVF) is involved in criminal activity with no political purpose; the Ulster Defence Association (UDA) is still a split organisation, with some members heavily involved in violent and serious crime, with no progress towards decommissioning of weapons; the breakaway South East Antrim Group of the UDA is now effectively a separate organisation and is pursuing a policy of community engagement, but involvement in serious crime is still evident; the Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF) and Red Hand Commando (RHC) continue to put weapons "beyond reach", to downsize the organisation, and to reduce the level of criminality on the part of members. The report also contains statistics on the incidence of violence.

Download or read book Fourth Report of the Independent Monitoring Commission written by Independent Monitoring Commission and published by . This book was released on 2005-02-10 with total page 10 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The Commission was set up by the British and Irish Governments in January 2004 to monitor the incidence of alleged activities of paramilitary groups in Northern Ireland, to investigate claims that Assembly parties or Members are in breach of commitments under the Belfast Agreement, and to recommend appropriate remedial action to be taken by the Northern Ireland Assembly. This report focuses on the robbery at the headquarters of the Northern Bank, Belfast in December 2004 and the alleged involvement of the IRA. Approximately £26.5 million was stolen in the bank raid and it involved the abduction of two bank employees. Conclusions reached include that, on the basis of available information, the Provisional IRA was responsible for the robbery and abduction, and that Sinn Fâin must bear its share of responsibility for the incident. Given this, the Commission recommends that the Government should consider exercising its powers to impose financial penalties on Sinn Fâin, and would have recommended its exclusion from office had the Assembly been sitting.

Download or read book Sixteenth report of the Independent Monitoring Commission written by Independent Monitoring Commission and published by The Stationery Office. This book was released on 2007-09-18 with total page 76 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This is the fourth and final report from the Independent Monitoring Commission on the progress made in the two year programme of security normalisation begun in August 2005. The monitoring is undertaken in the light of two considerations: an assessment of the paramilitary threat, and the British Government's obligation to ensure the safety and security of the community as a whole. The Commission believes the Provisional IRA is committed to the political path and has abandoned terrorism and violence. Dissident republican groups, however, continue to pose a threat to both the security forces and the community at large. Loyalist paramilitaries do not pose a threat, though the Commission notes that the UDA has made no progress in decommissioning weapons. The security normalisation is examined under several headings: the use of military in support of the Police Service of Northern Ireland; the repeal of counter-terrorist legislation particular to Northern Ireland; the police estate; and patterns of police patrolling. Of particular note is the fact that, for the second year running, the parades of 12 July were policed without the need for military assistance. Various annexes detail the closure of towers, observation posts, and military bases, and the monthly troop levels and military helicopter use in Northern Ireland over the two year period. Overall, the Commission finds that the requirements of the programme have been met.

Download or read book Twenty first Report of the Independent Monitoring Commission written by Independent Monitoring Commission and published by The Stationery Office. This book was released on 2009 with total page 40 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This report focusses on the six-month period from 1 September 2008 to 28 February 2009. The murders of two British soldiers in Antrim, just after the report period, confirmed the finding that dissident republican movements - particularly Continuity IRA and the Real IRA - remain a major danger to peace, with a continuing high level of serious violent activity detailed in this report. All the groups are also involved in other ciminal activity such as drug dealing, kidnapping, extortion and smuggling and fuel laundering. The loyalist paramilitaries showed less activity, with the mainstream UDA now needing to address urgently the issue of decommissioning of weapons before the protection of the decommissioning legislation is lifted (by February 2010 at the latest).The UVF appears to be continuing to run down though some members are still involved in criminal activity for personal gain.

Download or read book Fifth Report of the Independent Monitoring Commission written by Independent Monitoring Commission and published by . This book was released on 2005-05-24 with total page 59 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The Commission was set up by the British and Irish Governments in January 2004 to monitor the incidence of alleged activities of paramilitary groups in Northern Ireland, to investigate claims that Assembly parties or Members are in breach of commitments under the Belfast Agreement, and to recommend appropriate remedial action. This report examines the continuing activities of paramilitary groups in Northern Ireland including analysis and conclusions on the ad hoc report published in February 2005, on the robbery at the headquarters of the Northern Bank, Belfast on 20 December 2004. This report also includes a brief comment on the murder of Robert McCartney in Belfast on 30 January 2005.

Download or read book Eighth Report of the Independent Monitoring Commission written by Great Britain: Parliament: House of Commons: Independent Monitoring Commission and published by Stationery Office/Tso. This book was released on 2006 with total page 43 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Normally the Independent Monitoring Commission reports at six monthly intervals. However the British and Irish Governments have asked for a report at this time to further assess the activities of the Provisional IRA, who had issued a significant statement on 28 July 2005. The report concludes that although all paramilitary groups in Northern Ireland engage in illegal activities to varying extents, the PIRA has uniquely taken the strategic decision to eschew terrorism and pursue a political path. Loyalists groups have not yet made the same strategic choice but there are some early signs of change.

Download or read book Eleventh Report of the Independent Monitoring Commission written by Independent Monitoring Commission and published by Stationery Office/Tso. This book was released on 2006 with total page 62 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The task of the Independent Monitoring Commission is to monitor whether commitments in the security "normalisation programme" are being fully implemented, against the background of the paramilitary threat and the British Government's obligation to ensure the safety and security of the community as a whole. This report reviews 6 months. Among the Commission's conclusions are that: provisions of the programme relating to the military support of the police have been met, following the demolition of all the remaining towers in South Armagh, the withdrawal of the army from two further police stations and the reduction in the number of troops. The normalization programme requires no action on counter-terrorist legislation particular to Northern Ireland until July 2007. In regard of the police estate, there has been a defortification of existing police buildings, and new premises being constructed in a style compatible with the Patten recommendations, which promote the delivery of community based policing, so the Commission believes that the normalization process has been met. Further, the Commission is satisfied that the PSNI is making progress in introducing new patrolling patterns. Other examples of security nomalisation include the policing of the 12th July parades without military assistance.

Download or read book First Report of the Independent Monitoring Commission written by Independent Monitoring Commission (Northern Ireland) and published by . This book was released on 2004 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The Commission was set up by the British and Irish Governments in January 2004 to monitor the incidence of alleged activities of paramilitary groups in Northern Ireland, to investigate claims that Assembly parties or Members are in breach of commitments under the Belfast Agreement, and to recommend appropriate remedial action to be taken by the Northern Ireland Assembly. The Commission is made up of four members: Lord Alderdice, Joe Brosnan, John Grieve and Dick Kerr. The report includes descriptions and statistics on the violent and non-violent activities of paramilitary groups, including organised crime (for example, drugs, robberies and extortion). Sinn Fín should accept some responsibility for illegal paramilitary activity by PIRA (the Provisional Irish Republican Army) and the Progressive Unionist Party for the activities of UVF (Ulster Volunteer Force) and RHC (Red Hand Commando). The Secretary of State should take appropriate action in respect of the salaries of Northern Ireland Assembly members and/or the funding of Assembly parties.

Download or read book Fourteenth Report of the Independent Monitoring Commission written by Independent Monitoring Commission and published by . This book was released on 2007-03-12 with total page 66 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This is the Commission's third report on the security normalisation programme, under the provisions of article 5 (1) of the International Agreement. The report covers the period from 1 August 2006 to 31 January 2007 and it concludes that the provisions of the security normalisation programme have been met in relation to military support to the police, changes to the police estate and new patrolling patterns. It also notes progress regarding the reduction in the number of military bases and number of troops in Northern Ireland. Further action is required in relation to the repeal of counter-terrorist legislation particular to Northern Ireland, and the process of change has already been started via the Justice and Security (Northern Ireland) Bill (HC Bill 10, session 2006-07, ISBN 9780215707956) currently going through Parliament.

Download or read book Twenty fourth Report of the Independent Monitoring Commission written by Independent Monitoring Commission and published by Stationery Office/Tso. This book was released on 2010-09-15 with total page 8 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This report investigates the murder of Bobby Moffett in Belfast on May 2010. The Commission sees the murder as a serious backward step after a period when all the paramilitary groups other than the dissident republicans had moved decisively away from violence. The Commission concluded that there were two main reasons for the murder and the way in which it was committed: to stop Mr Moffett's perceived flouting of UVF authority, and to send a message to the organisation and the community that this authority was not to be challenged. The fact that there was no subsequent condemnation of the killing by the UVF leadership meant that in effect the UVF adopted its consequences. A further full six-monthly report on paramilitary activity is due to submitted in October 2010 in the usual way.

Download or read book Twenty sixth and Final Report of the Independent Monitoring Commission written by Independent Monitoring Commission (Northern Ireland) and published by . This book was released on 2011-07-04 with total page 119 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This is the final report from the Independent Monitoring Commission. On 4 November 2010 the British and Irish Governments announced that they would bring the IMC to an end after the Commission had presented a last report on its work, including lessons learnt. This report therefore differs from its previous reports, instead of addressing paramilitary activity or security normalisation it describes its functions and what has changed since establishment in 2004. Also how it worked, assessing its strengths and weaknesses and its view of the contribution over the last seven years. This is not only for the record but it is hoped that it might give insights to those in the future monitoring terrorist campaigns or peace processes elsewhere in the world. The Commission recognises that every situation is unique and what works in one place cannot necessarily be transferred elsewhere. However the Commission believes there are lessons to be drawn from its experiences and hope they will be of use to others dealing with such problems in other places and at other times.

Download or read book Thirteenth Report of the Independent Monitoring Commission written by Independent Monitoring Commission and published by . This book was released on 2007-01-30 with total page 31 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Reports by the Independent Monitoring Commission into paramilitary activities in Northern Ireland are normally produced at six monthly intervals. However, in light of the St Andrews Agreement of October 2006 and subsequent developments, the Commission was asked to produce an additional report at this time. The report focuses on the three month period September to November 2006, and the Commission's findings include that there remains a very clear distinction between the position of the leadership of Sinn Fâin and the Provisional IRA on the one hand, and loyalists paramilitary groups on the other. The leadership of Sinn Fâin remains committed to the strategy of pursuing a political path and the decision of the party's Ard Fheis to support policing and the criminal justice system was a very significant development. Although there have been some signs of progress amongst loyalist groups, with efforts being made by some amongst the leaderships to move towards community involvement and democratic politics, progress has been patchy and there remains a long path still to be trodden.

Download or read book Twenty Third Report of the Independent Monitoring Commission written by Great Britain. Parliament. House of Commons. Independent Monitoring Commission and published by . This book was released on 2010-05-26 with total page 36 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This report focuses mainly on the six month period 1 September 2009 to 28 February 2010. Dissident republicans (especially the Real Irish Republican Army) remain highly active and dangerous. They were responsible for one murder and for numerous other incidents in which victims might have died. They are involved in a wide range of other non-terrorist crime and have sought to increase the capability of their organisations. On the loyalist side, many groups have decommissioned arms, but there is still involvement in non-terrorist criminal activities.

Download or read book Seventeenth Report of the Independent Monitoring Commission written by Independent Monitoring Commission and published by Stationery Office Books (TSO). This book was released on 2007-11-07 with total page 48 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This report on the continuing activities of paramilitary groups focuses mainly on the six month period 1 March to 31 August 2007. With the decommissioning of arms by the Provisional IRA, and the entry of Sinn Fein into government in Northern Ireland, the report contains less than normal on PIRA which appears fully committed to the political path. The Commission finds that several dissident republican groups remain involved in serious criminal activity, and are capable of greater levels of violent and other crime. The picture with loyalist groups is mixed. Encouragingly, the Ulster Volunteer Force has announced its intention to renounce violence and transform itself from a military to a civilian organisation, and the signs are that this process is under way. The Ulster Defence Association, on the other hand, has been responsible for the bulk of loyalist assaults and other criminal activity. It is also an organisation experiencing internal turbulence, with a number of confrontations between the leadership and so-called breakaway factions. The report also contains statistics on the incidence of violence.