Letters: Right of dissent

Ruth Dudley Edwards
Monday 12 April 1999 23:02 BST
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Sir Jane Jakeman ("Daggers drawn", 8 April) alleges that I "tried to interrupt" a speech by Michael Mansfield at the last Crime Writers Association dinner "on the seemingly inflammatory subject of human rights". I neither tried to nor interrupted Mr Mansfield. I did, however, after his harangue about General Pinochet, politely inquire if he would be in favour of extraditing a particular IRA leader to a foreign country whose citizens had been murdered by terrorists under his control.

Like Mr Mansfield I care a great deal about human rights. That is why I spend much of my time championing the cause of frightened people in Northern Ireland who are beaten, tortured and mutilated by loyalist and republican terrorists.

RUTH DUDLEY EDWARDS

London NW5

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in