World Action Day Republican Prisoners – Update

Republican Sinn Féin Ard Chomhairle member arrested at POW picket

At a POW picket in Lurgan, Co Armagh on the International Day of Action for Irish Republican POWs, October 27, Cáit Trainor, Ard Chomhairle member, Republican Sinn Féin, Armagh was arrested and taken to Lurgan barracks where she will be held until Monday. From there she will be taken to Hydebank jail in Belfast to serve a two-week sentence imposed in March this year at Craigavon courthouse. Cait was fined for ‘participating in and organising’ a march through Lurgan in January 2011 in support of Martin Corey, interned without trial in Maghaberry jail, Co Antrim, since his licence was revoked by the British secretary of state in 2010. Cáit refused to pay the fine of €700 imposed on her and so today was arrested after once again highlighting the plight of the POWs interned without charge or trial, and also by remand, in Maghaberry jail.  Pickets took place throughout Europe, in Canada and in the US on October 27 to bring awareness to the plight of the POWs. The ongoing protest in Maghaberry jail will continue to bring people onto the streets until full political status is restored, strip searching and controlled movement ended and freedom of association granted to the men.

Source: Republican Sinn Fein 27-10-2012

RSF condemns repression against protesters in Germany

Hamburg vigil on International POW-Day 2012 broken up by police

Vienna/Hamburg – German police forces broke up a vigil outside the Lithuanian Consulate on Saturday, October 27. The vigil was organised by Irish republicans of the “Maghaberry Awareness Group St. Pauli” to demand the release of Irish republican Michael Campbell who is held in a Lithuanian jail. October 27 was the International Day of Action for Irish republican prisoners 2012. About 50 local anarchists and Chechen socialists joined Irish republicans at a candlelight vigil at the Lithuanian Consulate at Grosse Bahnstrasse in the Altona district of Hamburg, Germany. The vigil lasted less than 30 minutes when it was broken up by German police forces threatening the arrest of all participants. The police said the protest is threatening property of the Lithuanian Consulate.

Republican Sinn Féin International spokesperson Dieter Blumenfeld condemned the repressive actions by German police forces against Irish republicans. He said: “October 27 was the International Day for Irish political prisoners. The arrest of Cáit Trainor at a protest in Lurgan and the breaking up of a peaceful picket in support of Michael Campbell in Germany shows that the reactionary and imperialist forces want to silence Irish republicanism.” “We commend all those taking part in the vigil for Michael Campbell in Hamburg, Germany. Every man and woman has a right to protest against injustice. On October 27 the German state has once again shown that they are the closest allies of the most undemocratic and repressive governments.” “The International Day for Irish republican prisoners 2012 was the most coordinate and broadest action for a free, united and democratic Ireland on an international level in decades. Irish republicans will not be deterred by any repression from their support for the POWs.” RSF International spokesperson Dieter Blumenfeld said.

Source: Republican Sinn Fein 28-10-2012

October 27 World Action Day Republican Prisoners

The following statement was received from the O/C of the Republican POWs in Maghaberry Gaol, Co Antrim, in October 2012:

“Greetings from the Republican Prisoners in Maghaberry jail to the activists, supporters and participants of the International Day of Action for Irish Republican Prisoners of War 2012.
 “We, the Republican Prisoners of War incarcerated in Maghaberry prison camp, wish to send greetings to those assembled all over the world today protesting on our behalf. “At present we are engaged in a ‘dirty protest’ to end the archaic practice of strip searching and 23-hour lock-down, and to secure conditions befitting of Prisoners of War.

The age-old British policy of criminalisation of Irish Republican prisoners is in full swing in
Maghaberry and as always we, as Republicans, will oppose this in anyway we can.
“We have been on this current phase of protest now for over 18 months and we see little movement from our captors. The conditions we endure are far from humane or acceptable, yet we will continue in ourstruggle until our demands are met. We have a duty to all Republicans and to those prisoners who may follow us.

“We find ourselves incarcerated due to British rule in Ireland and are part of the broader struggle for Irish independence. We take heart from gatherings such as this, that Irish Republicanism is alive and vibrant, kept alive by people like you. As Republican Prisoners of War we will not shy away from our duty and we salute all those in Ireland and abroad who work towards the independence of Ireland by any means necessary.“The support we have received from those across the world makes us more determined and resolute, we are indeed grateful for such support, and ask for your continued support and activism on our behalf.

“We applaud those of you who take to the streets all over the world in protest at the detention of true Republicans. “We will continue to resist all attempts by the British government to criminalise us and our struggle and with your continued support we are confident of victory.
“Onwards to the Republic! 

“Signed O/C Maghaberry Gaol,
“October 2012”

International Coordination Committee
'Support the POWs!'
For the support of the Irish Republican Prisoners held in Irish, English and Lithuanian jails...
web: http://supportthepows.irish-solidarity.net/
e-mail: supportthepows@irish-solidarity.net
tel: 0043 556 18 68

Irish Republican News

Martin Corey supporter jailed

A Lurgan man who took part in a protest in January 2011 demanding the release of interned Republican Martin Corey from Maghaberry Jail, was arrested at his home and taken to Maghaberry jail on Saturday October 13, 2012. Martin Duffy attended the rally in Lurgan, which was supported by up to 300 people at times, was subsequently arrested and charged with ‘participating and organising’ what the PSNI/RUC claimed was an illegal march. The march was a peaceful one throughout and the only illegal act pertaining to this is the illegal way in which Martin Corey is being held in jail on with no recourse to justice. 

Martin was one of many who were fined for taking part in the march and because he refused to pay the fine he spent a week in jail He was also fined for taking part in an Easter Commemoration in Lurgan last year, a fine he also refused to pay. The fines in total came to £1,200.  Martin was locked-down in what in commonly called the committal wing, well away from Roe House where Martin Corey is incarcerated, for 23-hours a day, with just one hour exercise in the yard. It took three days to organise phone call facilities and he was unable to shower for the whole week.  Martin Corey is still interned in Maghaberry jail despite a court ordering his release in July.

Full details on: http://www.releasemartincorey.com/

Source: Republican Sinn Fein 20-10-2012

UVF bomb bid on RSF Belfast office foiled

REPUBLICAN Sinn Féin was warned on Thursday, October 18 that the UVF was planning to attack its office on the Falls Road, Belfast. While this is not the first time the Republican Sinn Féin has been warned of impending attacks by loyalist death squads, it makes it none the less worrying.

It was reported on October 20 that the RUC/PSNI had discovered a viable pipe bomb during a house search at Kitchener Street in the Donegal Road area of South Belfast and that the that the “Sandy Row UVF were planning an attack on dissident (sic) republicans in west Belfast” namely the office of Republican Sinn Féin and one other target. 

The Sunday World said that the Republican Sinn Fein Offices on the Falls Road were one of two targets discussed. The other was a bar in the west of the city where it was alleged members of a so-called dissident group were working as doormen.

Source: Republican Sinn Fein 24-10-2012

Nobel Peace Prize for Europe – a joke

You must wonder if there is a need for something like the Nobel prize for peace. In fact, it’s everyone’s duty to do everything possible to maintain peace and prevent war. There is no need to have a special award for something like this. Usually a prize like this is no more than a bit of backslapping by the rich and powerful who have little better to do. But sometimes this goes just too far. Last week Norway announced that Europe as a whole had been awarded the Nobel prize for peace. Apparently this was done because Europe has managed to maintain peace since the Second World War.

This is the biggest lie that has ever come out of the Nobel committee. It is true that since 1945 a third world war has been avoided. But that does not mean that the countries of the European Union have only been involved in peaceful activities. First of all there was the cold war against the Soviet Union and other countries of the Warsaw Pact. For decades the European countries, especially Germany, did everything possible to destabilize the Soviet Union, and they were involved in every American threat made against the Warsaw Pact.

American nuclear weapons are still littering Europe, even though the cold war has been over for years. Then, what to think of the way Europe destroyed the former Yugoslavia? Again it was Germany who started the conflict on the Balkan by recognizing Croatia, which was illegally breaking away. This was the start of a bloody war in which NATO planes bombed Serbia at random. Thousands of people died as a result. Apparently the Nobel committee has forgotten this war on European soil. We can make a long list of interventions by Europe in the Middle East, sometimes open en sometimes in a more hidden way. But the results were always the same. More people killed, more destruction, and intervening in the affairs of other countries far beyond international laws.

If this is keeping the peace, it makes you wonder what war would look like. It is also said that the prize has been awarded to boost the European idea. It is this idea that has started the current financial crisis and which has plunged millions of people, especially in southern Europe, in poverty and unemployment. While the European idea is turning Europe more and more into a field of destruction, the clutter brains in Norway paint a picture of Europe that makes paradise look like a neglected backyard.

So why has this prize been awarded? We have already seen that it has nothing to do with peace. The answer is simple. The European leaders needed a boost to hide their panic and confusion over de Euro crisis. They were desperate for some good news while their system is collapsing with increasing pace. The peoples of Europe are rightly associating Europe en the EU with cutbacks, financial chaos and increasing police repression. That picture is right and in accordance with reality. But the European leaders want to show another side. A side which in reality does not exist. The Nobel committee has let itself be used for this unrealistic European propaganda. Propaganda, which hides the truth and paints a rosy picture of a bankrupt system.

We all know that the European leaders and the truth are a combination which does not match. It is logic that they try to draw others into this murky game. You cannot even blame them. But you can blame the Nobel committee which let itself be used in such an obvious way. The European leaders can now congratulate themselves with this so-called achievement. But they will not fool anybody. The peoples of Europe have taken a long time to see the truth about the EU and open their eyes. But now they know a propaganda lie when they see one. So in the end no one will benefit from this distasteful charade.

If the committee in Norway wanted to give a prize, they should have given it to the European peace movement which has fought for years against higher defence spending, war preparations, nuclear arms and foreign interventions. The millions who demonstrated and stood on picket lines. Who withstood police attacks and condemnation through the rightwing and establishment press.

They deserve this peace prize every year. But instead of getting a prize they are seen as troublemakers, traitors or the enemy within. This goes to show how serious the Oslo committee is when it comes to real peace. After this debacle the best thing is to abolish the prize altogether and have done with it. Before anymore sickening awards are made. It degrades prizes such as these and ignores the people who really care about peace. End of story, we would say.

Chavez sweeps to landslide win

Venezuela shows cuts-obsessed Europe how it's done with ringing endorsement of socialism and a welfare state. Socialist Hugo Chavez turned the tables dramatically on international right-wing propaganda yesterday to power his way to victory and retain his presidency in the Venezuelan elections. Fireworks exploded over the capital Caracas and supporters jumped for joy as Mr Chavez grabbed 54 per cent of a historic 80 per cent turnout for a fourth term after almost 14 years in office. As the president began another six-year term, Unite general secretary Len McCluskey welcomed the result as a "clear endorsement" of Mr Chavez's "progressive social policies."

The 58-year-old has been carrying out a self-styled socialist revolution - including building up a welfare state. This is in sharp contrast to the Westminster government's vicious hatchet job where Chancellor George Osborne has just announced billions worth of more cuts to benefits. Mr McCluskey congratulated the Venezuelan people on "holding another free and fair election." He added: "Once again Venezuela has shown why former US president Jimmy Carter has said it has the best election process in the world.  "There should be no support from our government to those extremist movements in Venezuela calling for the results to be rejected.

"Those people refusing to accept the views of the Venezuelan majority are the very same people who backed the coup against Hugo Chavez in 2002. They are certainly not democrats." He said: "Venezuela shows governments that put the needs of ordinary working people first can expect strong support at the ballot box. "Rather than making ordinary people bear the brunt of an economic crisis, governments in Europe might want to learn the obvious lessons from Venezuela." Mr McCluskey was a signatory to a letter to Foreign Secretary William Hague, along with MPs and leading figures from civil society, urging the British government to respect Venezuela's democratic processes.

His victory confirms Mr Chavez as one of Latin America's most commanding political figures. He left rival Henrique Capriles trailing at 45 per cent. He recently underwent three cancer surgeries. His supporters were chanting: "Chavez, the people are with you." On the cards could now be nationalisation plans for the banking, food and health industries. After his landslide win in 2006 he ordered takeovers in the telecoms, electricity and oil sectors.

Ahead of the elections the Venezuela Solidarity Campaign published an open letter from a group of leading British academics calling on sections of the media to end "misrepresentation" about polls in Venezuela. They were concerned much of the reporting of the polls was just reflecting the spin coming from the right-wing candidates' camp that the race was tight. Venezuela Solidarity Campaign co-ordinator Matt Willgress said: "Despite the negative media onslaught against President Chavez's electoral prospects he won a very convincing victory of nearly two million votes over his right-wing rival.

"This represents a fantastic further step forward for democracy and inclusion in Venezuela. It also represents a robust victory for those pursuing an agenda of social progress across Latin America. "We should demand an end to US hostility and that Venezuelans be left free to determine their own destiny."

Source: The Morning Star 09-10-2012