Report on Political Status Meeting in Belfast

national | miscellaneous | news report Thursday May 02, 2002 17:00 by Reader of Saoirse

Representatives from a number of organizations as well as the general public met in Belfast sunday. Over 100 people discussed the current issue of political status in prisons today.

Political Status meeting in Belfast
Around a hundred people attended a meeting called by Republican Sinn Féin on
Sunday, April 28, 2002 in Conway Mill, Falls Road, Belfast to highlight the
plight of Republican POWs in Maghaberry prison.

Among the attendance were relatives of the POWs and all shades of
Republican/Nationalist opinion.

The situation in Maghaberry was discussed and many view points put forward on
how to highlight the segregation issue; segregation being the most important
part of the Republican POWs demand right now because of the situation within
the prison that has seen a number of Republican POWs attacked and injured by
loyalists.

Because of the enforced integration policy that is being carried out by the
Maghaberry regime it was pointed out at the meeting that the next attack on a
Republican prisoner could very well mean death. There is real cause for concern
in that respect.

It was stressed at the meeting that the struggle for political status and the
prisoners demands would go on but the issue of segregation was the only means
to insure the safety of Republican POWs both on remand and sentenced.

It was agreed by the body of the meeting that a POW support group be set up to
highlight the segregation issue. A number of names were put forward of those
who would be willing to help out on the POW issue and a further meeting was
called for a months time to further discuss the next step in the prison
campaign.

Those who attended the meeting on Sunday were asked to put forward any ideas
they may have to highlight the prison issue and also the very volatile and
dangerous situation Republicans have been forced into.

Before the meeting was brought to a close there was a call for those there to
support the on-going white line picket held outside Republican Sinn Féins
office on the Falls Road every Saturday from 12.00 to 1pm and also to attend
any other up-coming events being held to highlight the prison issue.