1971: NI activates internment law

The Prime Minister of Northern Ireland, Brian Faulkner, has introduced a new law giving the authorities the power to indefinitely detain suspected terrorists without trial.

The decision by Stormont, the government in Northern Ireland, to implement the new measures was made in the wake of escalating violence and increased bombings in the province and the threat to Northern Ireland's economy.

The move has been welcomed by Unionist MPs but has been fiercely condemned by Republicans.

More than 300 suspects have already been detained in a series of dawn raids today.

'Unacceptable level'

The decision to bring back the internment law for the first time in 10 years, under the Civil Authorities (Special Powers) Act, was made last week following consultation with British prime minister, Ted Heath, but an announcement was delayed to enable the Army to make the arrests.

In a statement made at 1115 BST today, Mr Faulkner said Northern Ireland was "quite simply at war with the terrorist."

He said: "The terrorists' campaign continues at an unacceptable level and I have had to conclude that the ordinary law cannot deal comprehensively or quickly enough with such ruthless violence.

"I have therefore decided... to exercise where necessary the powers of detention and internment vested in me as Minister of Home Affairs."

He said the decision had been made to protect life and property and the main target would be members of the Irish Republican Army (IRA).

The act has been described as one of the most powerful anti-terrorist measures on the statute books of any Western democracy but Mr Faulkner said he could not give any guarantees it would bring an end to the campaign.

Suspects who are arrested under the new law, and who are not charged or released within 48 hours, will be taken to reception areas where they will be held indefinitely without trial.

They will have a right to appeal to an advisory council - which is yet to be set up.

'Short-term measure'

The British Opposition has called for Parliament to be recalled so the issue can be debated fully.

James Callaghan, shadow home secretary, said: "Quite obviously the government must act against gunmen shooting in the main streets of Belfast, especially as the shootings are growing.

"Internment, however, is only a short-term measure. And although it worked before in temporarily removing the leadership of the IRA, it proved to be no long-term solution to the problem.

The government has made it clear it has no intention to recall Parliament.

The decision to reactivate the powers goes against the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights of the Council of Europe to which Great Britain signed up in November 1950, although a let-out clause states the measures can be used if a state of war exists.

The power of internment was reactivated during the Northern Ireland troubles of 1956-61.

During that time nearly 200 known or suspected members of the IRA were detained without trial in special internment camps for an average of two years.

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