From the Pat Finucane Centre

Press release from relatives of plastic/rubber bullet victims 31 July 2001 The families of people killed by rubber and plastic bullets have appealed to the British and Irish governments to ensure that any new political proposals include a complete and immediate ban on plastic bullets. Plastic bullets breach international standards of human rights and have been condemned by the European Parliament, United Nations Committee Against Torture, Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, the Catholic Bishops  of Ireland,  US Congress, CAJ and the Irish Government. Marie Duffy, sister of Brian Stewart, killed in October 1976 at the age of 13 yrs said:"Plastic bullets are an indiscriminate,lethal weapon of torture and should never be used against anysection of our comunity ,whatever their religious or political ersuasion". "A ban on plastic bullets is a necessary step towards the creations of a new, impartial,human rights based police service, which every section of the community benefits from. No one should be trained in the use of weapon targeting the civilian population that has killed 17 men, women and children and maimed thosands more". Elizabeth Livingstone, sister of Julie kiled in July 1981 at the age of 14 yrs added :"At this critical time we call on our elected representatives to ensure that any new proposal include an immediate ban on plastic bullets and to bring to an end the brutal legacy of death, injury and destruction which plastic bullets have inflicted on our communities".END