CAT/C/SR.92 page 10
solution was not ideal and would wish to return to jury trial in all cases. He noted with satisfaction, however, that, even in the difficult political situation, for over four years, more than 70 per cent of criminal cases had been tried before a jury. He was unable to give the number of Diplock convictions which relied wholly or mainly on confession evidence, but a significant majority of defendants in such courts pleaded guilty. Moreover, acquittal rates compared favourably with the rates in jury trials.
43. The Government of the United Kingdom considered that, in such trials, appropriate safeguards were provided to defendants: the judge had to give his reasons in writing and the defendant had an automatic right to appeal to a
The court re-evaluated in three-judge court presided over by a Lord Justice.
full all the evidence given before the court of first instance.
La la .
In reply to another question from Mr. Burns, he said that allegations of ill-treatment in the document from Amnesty International dated November 1991 would be investigated by the relevant branch of the Royal Ulster Constabulary under the auspices of the independent commission for police complaints in Northern Ireland. Amnesty International would acknowledge that the United Kingdom Government had always sought to respond fully to the allegations which it raised. It would therefore see to it once again that the inquiries were carried out with due regard for the law and that disciplinary measures were taken against guilty parties.
45.
His Government took particular care to safeguard the right of any injured party to redress. Despite the stress to which Northern Ireland was subject, it was nevertheless a State where the rule of law prevailed and the Government ensured that redress was granted to any victim of an inhuman or degrading
Different standards of action, even if the guilty party had been disciplined. proof applied in disciplinary and civil proceedings. The independent commission for police complaints in Northern Ireland could in fact act spontaneously and supervise an inquiry without a complaint having been received. On the other hand, disciplinary charges were laid against a police officer only when a complaint had been received and charges preferred against him.
46.
Unfortunately, because of lack of time, he was unable to give further details about the amounts of compensation awards to victims and the kinds of compensation granted. However, he could say that Brian Gillen had accepted the sum of £7,500 as compensation.
47. He hoped that the replies given by the members of his delegation would enable the Committee to appreciate the constant endeavours of the United Kingdom to observe the provisions of the Convention in full.
48. The CHAIRMAN (Alternate Country Rappporteur) thanked the members of the United Kingdom delegation for the care they had taken in preparing such detailed replies within a particularly short time. He would be grateful if they could supply written information about disciplinary measures or criminal proceedings taken against police officers guilty of ill-treatment.