Harassment Endured As POWs' Plight Highlighted

international | miscellaneous | press release Monday October 16, 2006 14:17 by Seán Ó Murchú - Republican Prisoners Action Group

On Friday, 13th October a day of action was held by the Republican Prisoners’ Action Group (RPAG) to increase awareness of the plight of the Republican POWs in Maghaberry Gaol.

HARASSMENT ENDURED AS POWs’ PLIGHT HIGHLIGHTED

On Friday, 13th October a day of action was held by the Republican Prisoners’ Action Group (RPAG) to increase awareness of the plight of the Republican POWs in Maghaberry Gaol.

Due to a concerted campaign of censorship in the media, members of the RPAG travelled to the offices of UTV in Belfast to deliver a statement highlighting the plight of the POWs and detailing their continuing protest for political status. However there was a large RUC presence assembled outside UTV to prevent entry. Nonetheless, the statement was read and subsequently handed to a UTV staff member. An hour-long picket was held outside.

RPAG members were also present at St. Andrew’s in Scotland, carrying a large banner. They were later met by a delegation to discuss the issues surrounding the Maghaberry protest, which has been ongoing since the 19th June. As they attempted to leave Scotland they were detained for a period of two hours under Schedule 7 of the so-called "Terrorism Act". It would appear that the purpose of this harassment was to cause them to miss their boat home.

A leafleting campaign took place in Dublin, and other events occurred throughout the country. An information campaign also took place in the United States.

Almost four months on from the start of the protest in Maghaberry it is imperative that anyone with influence exerts this to resolve the situation, which is hurtling towards crisis point.