Conditions in Maghaberry are violation of human rights

national | rights, freedoms and repression | press release Monday June 28, 2010 00:53 by Saoirse - Republican Sinn Fein saoirse at iol dot ie Teach Dáithí Ó Conaill, Dublin 1 or 229 Falls Road, Belfast 01 8729747

On Sunday June 27 the President of Republican Sinn Féin Des Dalton and its Patron Ruairí Ó Brádaigh visited Maghaberry prison. Despite assurances by the Northern Ireland Prison Service the Duty Governor failed to meet Des Dalton and Ruairí Ó Brádaigh. However they did meet with the OC of the Republican prisoners. The purpose of the proposed meeting with the Duty Governor was to put forward the 5 demands of the Republican prisoners for political status as well as to highlight the internment of veteran Republican and political hostage Martin Corey. Speaking at a rally held in support of the prisoners outside of Maghaberry following the visit and meeting Des Dalton said:

“The conditions being endured by the Republican prisoners are a gross violation of even the most basic standards of human rights and are likely to have a detrimental effect on the health of the men. Republican Ireland stands by the POWs and the campaign for political status must be intensified to bring these conditions to an end.

“By their actions the men in Maghaberry are not allowing themselves to be passive victims of the British state but instead are giving the lie to the normalisation of British occupation. The struggle of the Republican prisoners in Maghaberry proclaims to Ireland and the world that British rule in Ireland is neither normal nor acceptable.

“The 5 demands of Republican prisoners must be met now.”

Ends/Críoch