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 The fifth World Social Forum (WSF) which took place last week in Porto Alegre, Brazil was a vital event for all those who are concerned with the state of the World. The WSF showed clearly that five years on from the Seattle protests, the ‘alter-globalisation’ movement continues to grow in strength and importance. 120,000 registered for the forum, almost 200,000 took part in the opening march and 352 proposals and calls for action came out of the more than 2000 panels and workshops that took place.
The fifth WSF was an inspirational event. In this piece I write about three important issues that capture that inspiration and also address the question of where do the movements go from here? They are firstly, the important diversity and strength of the movement shown in the opening demonstration, the call that came from the final assembly for global action on March 19th against the occupation of Iraq and finally, the debate over the future direction and strategy of the WSF movement.
The 'Route Irish' to Sanctuary Project: Webpage
Other Links...
Harry Browne writes: 'Don't Get Back on that Plane' Soldiers: Seek Asylum in Ireland
- CounterPunch.org
CBS News: ''The Pentagon says more than 5,500 servicemen have deserted since the war started in Iraq.'' (Dec. 8, 2004)
Frida Berrigan writes: 'Meet the New Conscientious Objectors' - Voices In The Wilderness
The 1951 Convention
''....a well-founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of ... political opinion, is outside the country of his nationality and is unable or, owing to such fear, is unwilling to avail himself of the protection of that country ... owing to such fear, is unwilling to return to it.''
- 1951 Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees
- History of the 1951 Convention
Criteria for the Determination
of Refugee Status
Scroll down to 'B. Deserters And Persons Avoiding Military Service' and read paragraphs 167 to 174
The Dublin Convention
Under the Dublin Convention, the Republic of Ireland will be the EU member state responsible for processing Asylum claims from Americans as Shannon Airport will be their first port of entry: ''The Member State responsible for controlling the entry of the alien into the territory of the Member States will be responsible for examining the application for asylum....''
San Remo Manual on International Law Applicable to Armed Conflicts at Sea, 12 June 1994
''If the inspection reveals that the aircraft is not a medical aircraft, it may be captured, and the occupants shall, unless agreed otherwise between the neutral State and the parties to the conflict, be detained in the neutral State where so required by the rules of international law applicable in armed conflict, in such a manner that they cannot again take part in the hostilities.
- Paragraph 183
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In 2004 more than 158,000 US Troops flew through Shannon Airport, most on their way to Iraq. During much of that same period of time approximately 5,500 US Troops have deserted, gone into hiding, sent to jail and some have escaped to Canada.
What if the funnel to Iraq, called Shannon Airport, were to be transformed into a sanctuary for US Troops resisting the Iraq War by requesting asylum in Ireland? Audio of the press conference on launch of invitation to make Shannon a Sanctuary of Peace for US Military Resistors.(32/2005)
This is the new effort by the Dublin Catholic Worker and other anti-war activists and politicians announced in Dublin on Feb 3rd - the second anniversary of the Pit Stop Ploughshares disarmament of a US Navy Plane at Shannon.
Damien Moran of the Dublin Catholic Worker said ''We encourage members of the US Military refusing to participate in this illegal war to seek asylum in Ireland. We encourage members of the US Military landing at Shannon Airport to refuse to reboard the planes bound for Iraq.''
Irish activist Michael Birmingham, back since last May after 20 months in Iraq, believes that the Irish people can use their close connections with Americans to help end the war: ''It is very important that we here in Ireland do what we can through our many contacts in the United States to get the message out to the soldiers that there is an opportunity for them not to go to Iraq.''
Ed Horgan, former Irish Army Commandant and anti-war activist explained, ''As a former soldier I am very slow to recommend that any soldier should desert his army or his country. But this is an exceptional case, the war in Iraq is unlawful and it is immoral.''
The Dublin Catholic Worker will be coordinating with groups such as the Limerick based Midwest Alliance Against Military Aggression and Dublin based Residents Against Racism to connect them to legal assistance, housing and help in escaping from Shannon Airport. Offers of pro-bono defence have also been offered by a number of lawyers.
North-Central TD, Finian McGrath, speaking at the press conference, said ''It is incumbent on Gardaí to respect the asylum requests by US Soldiers at the airport. We need to have the follow up support, legal advice to ensure that that person is well after when he's here and going through the asylum process.''
Ed Horgan was optimistic and believes there will be popular support for US Soldiers staying in Ireland: ''Obviously, the Irish Government shouldn't allow US Troops to pass through Shannon, at all. But the Irish people and those in this effort will provide facilities and contacts and help for US Soldiers that jump ship at Shannon.''
Senator David Norris agreed but predicted difficulties for the Irish Government if US Troops apply for asylum in Ireland, ''I guarentee you that the Irish Government will be leaned on in an unmerciful way by the Pentagon and the US State Department.''
Furthermore, Norris believes there will be strong support from many politicians but would be afraid to say so publicly, ''A large number of party members who would be sympathetic to what we are saying on an individual basis but they are 'whipped in' from the top [of their parties] and the impetus is shamefully a financial one.''
''This is not in any way an 'Anti-American' suggestion.'' Michael Birmingham explained, ''This is very much about showing solidarity also with young American men who, as soon as they leave Shannon Airport and land in Baghdad Airport and drive down 'Route Irish' - will be in a war zone with no way out and will be forced to do things that they and their families would be absolutely apalled by if the knew the truth of it.''
Damien Moran, following up, stated ''As St. Patrick's Day approaches we appeal to the Irish government to extend a 'Céad Mile Fáilte' to the brave military resisters in the U.S. refusing to participate in this illegal war.''
American Refugee Claimants and US Prisoners of Conscience
Brandon Hughey - Applied for refugee status in Canada.
Jeremy Hinzman - Applied for refugee status in Canada
Camilo Mejia - On May 21, 2004, 28-year-old Sgt. Camilo Mejia was sentenced to one year in prison for refusing to return to fight in Iraq.
Pablo Paredes - On December 6, 2004 he reported to for duty and refused to board the ship to protest the current US war.
Kevin Benderman - faces a possible court-martial after failing to deploy with his unit.
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A judicial review of Ireland's participation in the US war in Afghanistan will be heard in the Irish High Court on February 8th, 9th and 10th. The case was initiated over two years by Eoin Dubsky, who joined with many others to protest against the US military overflights and refueling when in 2002 most refused to recognise Ireland's part in the bombing of Afghanistan. Previous pre-trial hearings were successful in forcing the State to produce information on US military activity in Shannon.
The case primarily concerns the orders (or waiver of orders) which were made by the Irish government to allow US military flights pass through Ireland for the war in Afghanistan without Dail consent or UN resolutions. An estimated 400,000 American troops have passed through Shannon Airport alone since September 2001. The true number of weapons and explosives which have passed through is unknown. Unlike the Iraq war, the Irish government never sought the assent of the Irish parliament to allow Ireland's airspace and airports be used for American military flights relevant to the Afghanistan war.
In the aftermath of September 11th the Government said normal conditions were waived in respect of aircraft operating in pursuit of the implementation of the Security Council Resolution 1368 "to bring to justice the perpetrators of 911" yet the attacks Afghanistan and Iraq and now Iran have nothing to do with combatting terrorism." Blank Cheque: Revisiting Ireland's decision to refuel US warplanes). Disclosure from cases did reveal that for a period US military troops and cargo passed through Shannon without permissions.
Eoin was arrested for painting peace slogans onto a USAF C-130 at Shannon Airport three days before initiating his case in the High Court, September 2002. In the six months that followed the airport was the sight of many protests and vigils, a peace camp and further direct actions (including Pitstop Ploughshares and Mary Kelly). This judicial review does not effect his previous case and his criminal record (for damaging the warplane). Whether the case will have an effect on US military overflights and refueling depends on what we do with it. There was little response to Ed Horgan's judicial review over Iraq, which established that a neutral country cannot allow movement of substantial armed troops and munitions through its territory but was defeated because Justice Kearns said that Ireland neutrality is only "aspirational" and we are not under any obligation to obey customary international law.
Action: Come along to Court 13 or 14 (ask for Dubsky -v- Ireland), The Four Courts, February 8-11th to lend support.
To contact Eoin phone: +33 6 86789118, +353 87 6941060
Further Info
Public Meeting on Shannon Warport This Friday
Feb. date fixed for Dubsky v Ireland in High Court
Full report on Dubsky Vs DPP in regard to USAF Plane Spray Painting
Noise Hacker has (since early 2004) published sixteen series of images lifted from the streets and walls of Dublin on Indymedia Ireland. All of the Images are copyleft so do steal and use as you desire. Click any single image to access the original series of images of which it was part.
This page can be viewed in English Gaeilge |
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