Britain has long used the tactic of criminalising Republican prisoners in order to criminalise the entire Republican Struggle. In 1981 following the Hunger Strikes, Political Status was at last granted. However this was revoked following the signing of the Belfast Agreement. Republican prisoners have had a series of protests against the policy of criminalisation. In Maghaberry today they are subject to a harsh regime where they can be locked up 23 hours a day, are denied educational facilities and are even denied the right to eat in a canteen among their friends and comrades. They are subject to constant harassment and regular strip searches. Visitors are harassed by sniffer dogs and must share visiting facilites with pro-British loyalists. The Republican prisoners in Maghaberry gaol are currently on protest over conditions there. The protest currently involves refusing to eat meals in their cells (where their toilet is located) and they have embarked on a series of 24 hour fasts. They have five demands, these are:
1. Right to free association
2. End to controlled movement
3. Right to full time education
4. Separate visiting facility
5. Right to organise their own landings
Solidarity has been expressed by the Republican prisoners in Portlaoise Gaol who have also taken part in several 24 hour fasts. It is our duty as Irish Republicans to campaign for the re-introduction of Political Status so that the prisoners are not forced into escalating their protest. The campaign for POW status is being organised by the Republican Prisoners Action Group, for more information see: www.freewebs.com/powstatusnow
The prisoners dependants are supported by Cabhair The Republican Prisoners Dependants Fund. Donations to this fund are essential to relieve some of the hardship suffered by the families of those who are imprisoned for continuing the fight for Irish freedom. Donations can be sent to:
Cabhair
223 Parnell Street
Dublin 1
Ireland
REPUBLICANS WILL RESIST ENFORCED INTEGRATION MOVES
The recommendation of Westminster's “Northern Ireland Affairs Committee” that “high priority” should be given to the ending of segregation of Republican PoWs in Maghaberry Gaol is a matter of deep concern, a spokesperson for Republican Sinn Féin has said.
RSF Publicity Officer Richard Walsh – also PRO for the Republican Prisoners' Action Group, which campaigns on behalf of Republican prisoners in Maghaberry – said that the British appeared to have learned none of the lessons of the past.
“Maghaberry Gaol was variously described as a 'time-bomb' and 'powder-keg' prison under the integrated régime. Indeed, Republican PoW Tommy Crossan was scalded by Loyalists including Clifford Peeples whilst he was housed on an integrated landing. The British-backed 'Steele Report' recommended the reintroduction of segregation in order to protect the health and safety of prisoners.
“It appears that there are those in Westminster who now wish to repeat the mistakes of the past. Republican PoWs in Maghaberry Gaol took part in a ten-month protest for full political status, which was suspended in good faith earlier this year. However, it seems that rather than address the outstanding issues, the Brits wish instead to roll back on the concessions made.
“Any attempt to return to the situation of enforced integration or to criminalise Republican prisoners will be resisted both inside and outside the gaols. In the words of a well-known song, '[They] will wear no convict's uniform, nor meekly serve [their] time, that England might brand Ireland's fight eight-hundred years of crime.'”
White Line Picket in Newtownbutler
A white-line picket was held in Newtownbutler, Co. Fermanagh, on Saturday, 23rd September. The picket was organised by the Republican Prisoners’ Action Group (RPAG), and was in support of the demands of the POWs currently on protest in Maghaberry Gaol. In spite of adverse weather conditions a large crowd turned out to demonstrate their support for the prisoners' demands.
Following the white-line picket a rally took place. The proceedings were chaired by Ruairí White from Newry – a member of the Ard-Chomhairle of Republican Sinn Féin – who introduced the National Spokesman of the RPAG and former Independent Republican councillor for Fermanagh, Tony McPhillips. Mr. McPhillips highlighted the conditions faced by the POWs in Maghaberry, adding that the situation in the gaol was hurtling towards a crisis point. The Republican POWs had just finished a 72-hour fast. He called on anyone with influence to use that influence in order to resolve the dispute.
The Cathaoirleach then introduced Fergal Moore – an Ard-Chomhairle member of Republican Sinn Féin from Co. Monaghan – who gave the main address. Mr. Moore emphasised the need for everyone to support the prisoners in their demand for political status, stating that the best way to prevent the abuse of prisoners was to restore the All-Ireland Republic. He asked those not involved in the Republican Movement to consider taking up an active role within the Movement, helping the Movement to expel the British forces of occupation from Ireland.
The proceedings concluded with the singing of Amhrán na bhFiann.
There was once again an overt RUC presence on the day. Approximately ten minutes before the demonstration was due to begin, an RUC jeep was observed departing Lisnaskea Barracks. After driving through Newtownbutler several times, the jeep took up a position to monitor the demonstration. The British colonial police remained until the conclusion of the event.
Maghaberry POWs undertake 72 hour fast.
Republican POWs in Maghaberry Gaol will commence a 72-hour fast on Tuesday, 19th September. The situation in Maghaberry has now reached crisis point. A representative of the Archbishop of Armagh met with the prisoners last Tuesday, however conditions in the gaol have not improved.
The Republican Prisoners’ Action Group has organised a picket in Newtownbutler, Co. Fermanagh, on Saturday, 23rd September at 1:30p.m. and calls on everyone to support the demands of the Republican prisoners.
STATEMENT FROM O/C REPUBLICAN POWS, MAGHABERRY.
ON August 9, the following statement was received from the O/C, Republican Prisoners, Maghaberry jail:
"On Thursday 10th August, Republican Prisoners of War held in Maghaberry Concentration Camp will hold a 48-hour fast. This is part of our ongoing protest for the restoration of Political Status and the implementation of our five demands. We will continue with our protest and in the coming weeks will step it up until the NIO and British authorities realise that we won't be beaten.
The disgraceful attitude of the POA and the prison governors in refusing to accept that their policy of criminalisation will be resisted and therefore will fail is second only to the belief held by some that Óglaigh na hÉireann can be disbanded.
Óglaigh na hÉireann is not a "patent" of any single political party. It is of the people for the people. As long as there is still British interference on Irish soil; as long as a pro-Imperialist state exists in the 26-Counties to do Britain's dirty work, there will always be those who will resist. Resistance is born out of oppression.
Those of us imprisoned in Ireland and abroad have been so because of our ideological beliefs. Our belief in the Proclamation of the Republic, declaring "the right of the people of Ireland to the ownership of Ireland..." The belief that an alien government has no right to govern nor administer the affairs of the Irish people.
The oppressive nature of the regime imposed on Republican prisoners in this camp was bound to breed resistance. It is the unfortunate belief of the British authorities that today's Republican prisoners can be criminalised and brutalised unimpeded. This is a misconception. Although we may be small in numbers, we can guarantee that we will resist at all costs.
The parallels that exist in today's campaign and that which existed in 1976-1981 are striking, although I won't pretend to know exactly what the men and women went though then. I do know that we are fighting against the same policy and we are faced with the same 'monsters'.
In 1976-1981, those courageous men and women in the H-Blocks of Long Kesh and Armagh were fighting against a more visible form of criminalisation - that of a prison uniform and being forced to work for the system. Of course those weren't the only problems.
In today's prison camps, we are fighting against a different more invisible form of criminalisation. In this establishment we don't have the convict garb, nor are we forced to work. In comparison to 1976-1981 we are more comfortably off. But criminalisation whether visible or invisible must be resisted. The fact that this establishment is intent on forcing us to accept policies of controlled movement, no free association for Republican prisoners, and forcing our families to do without visits for weeks on end. The fact that we are locked in cells for up to 22 hours, the fact that we are denied all handicraft facilities and limited education is all that is available. Education which clashes with association - as a result one or the other must be forfeited. This is an exact throwback to the years 1976-1981.
Why shouldn't we be given the freedom to move freely on our own landings during periods of unlock? Why should we forfeit education for a period of exercise? Why shouldn't we be allowed to clear our own wings? Why shouldn't we expect to see our families on a weekly basis? Why shouldn't we be allowed to make handicrafts or souvenirs?
Why shouldn't we? All of the above are widely available to ordinary prisoners. And indeed they would be available to ourselves if we conformed. This we won't do. We will not renounce our principles nor will we allow ourselves to be bribed by a corrupt, sectarian prison establishment.
Our demands, which are widely available to ordinary prisoners proves that we are not being elitist. We are not asking to be treated differently, but to be treated with dignity and respect.
We have never asked for the keys of the wing nor would we. We do not expect control of the landings nor do we expect the screws to leave their positions.
We have been totally reasonable in our repeated requests to be treated equally and fairly. The fact that the British have ignored our pleas should be challenged by all right thinking people in Ireland and abroad.
The protest which has been forced upon us by British intransigence could be sorted out at the stroke of a pen, if only these people came to realise that we are only asking for what is already available.
We hereby ask that all politicians, north and south; all clergymen and women; the people of Ireland and abroad, and all those who have suffered years of degradation at the hands of the British 'monsters' support us by supporting our demands. We ask you to write letters of support, denouncing the current policies in newspapers and to British politicians.
We ask you to support those who are defenceless.
O/C, CIRA POWs
Maghaberry Concentration Camp, Occupied Six Counties
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