POWs brutally beaten in Maghaberry

national | miscellaneous | press release

Wednesday July 09, 2003 17:42

by Mags

Political Prisoners power hosed and brutally beaten in Maghaberry. Action details below.

Maghaberry Dirty Protest - UPDATES
Date: Wednesday July 9, 2003

At latest word, there are now between seven to ten sentenced republican prisoners on a dirty protest at Maghaberry prison.

The men are being prevented from any outside contact whatsoever. However another prisoner has sent out word on the worsening conditions inside Bann House.

Although authorities are totally denying it, last night the protesting prisoners were power-hosed and beaten viciously, as stated in the Press Releases below. Many of the prisoners on protest are also housed individually on heavily loyalist wings. All visits, phone calls, and contact with supporters have been cut off. Mail is also being held up.

However word is that the morale of the men has never been higher, they are very spirited and feel strongly that they are making a change.

The republican prisoners are demanding SEGREGATION and A WING OF THEIR OWN, as well as THE RIGHT TO APPOINT A SPOKESPERSON and GROUP REPRESENTATION.

The Irish Freedom Committee®
www.irishfreedomcommittee.net

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PRESS RELEASE
IRPWA Supporters, England
Tuesday July 8, 2003
Re: Brutal treatment of Republican prisoners in Maghaberry Gaol, co. Antrim.

News has reached us from sources within Maghaberry that Republican prisoners currently on a 'no wash' protest against the refusal of prison authorities to segregate them from Loyalists, were today subjected to having their cells blasted by Prison Officers with high pressure hoses. The power of these hoses was such that the prisoners were forced from their cells- undoubtedly intentionally. When on the landings, they were then set upon by Prison Officers and beaten, all of them brutally and at least three of them being left with serious injuries. We, supporters of the prisoners' welfare totally condemn such inhuman acts by so called 'British' prison officers and the so-called 'authorities' that authorise this in the face of a legitimate peaceful protest by prisoners exercising their right to protest.

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Subject: ACTION REQUEST – MAGHABERRY PRISON
Date: Wednesday July 9, 2003

Please let the Northern Ireland Prisons Service and Northern Ireland Office know that YOU ARE WATCHING as this crisis unfolds at Maghaberry Prison. The repressive policies of forced integration and brutality by prison staff cannot be hidden from the world’s eye any longer.

Please SEND AN E-MAIL to the Northern Ireland Prisons Service and the Northern Ireland Office stating your awareness of the situation and your demands for immediate SEGREGATION for republican political prisoners.

A short sample letter and contact info are below.

PLEASE FORWARD THIS REQUEST – EVERY VOICE COUNTS.

The Irish Freedom Committee®
www.irishfreedomcommittee.net

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- CLICK ON EMAIL ADDRESS, COPY AND PASTE TEXT for TWO (2) E-MAILS below.
- PLEASE ADD YOUR NAME AND CITY/ COUNTRY.

1. Send to: info@niprisonservice.gov.uk

NORTHERN IRELAND PRISON SERVICE
Room 321
Prison Service Headquarters
Dundonald House
Upper Newtownards Road
BELFAST BT4 3SU

To whom it may concern;

I urge you to immediately grant segregation to Irish Republican Political Prisoners at Maghaberry jail. Clearly the prison's policy of "rewarding the individual" by integrating sworn enemies alongside one another has failed in this explosive environment. I urge you to take action now before a terrible repeat of history is the result. The eyes of the world are once again turned to British prisons in the North of Ireland; please do the sensible and humane thing before it's too late.

Sincerely;

(YOUR NAME/CITY AND COUNTRY HERE)

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2. Send to: press.nio@nics.gov.uk

NORTHERN IRELAND OFFICE
Mr. Paul Murphy - Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
Block B
Castle Buildings
Belfast BT4 3STGTN

To whom it may concern;

I urge you to immediately grant segregation to Irish Republican Political Prisoners at Maghaberry jail. Clearly the prison's policy of "rewarding the individual" by integrating sworn enemies alongside one another has failed in this explosive environment. I urge you to take action now before a terrible repeat of history is the result. The eyes of the world are once again turned to British prisons in the North of Ireland; please do the sensible and humane thing before it's too late.

Sincerely;

(YOUR NAME/CITY AND COUNTRY HERE)

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SUPPORT THE REPUBLICAN POLITICAL PRISONERS’ FOUR DEMANDS!!
- SEGREGATION
- A WING OF THEIR OWN
- THE RIGHT TO APPOINT A SPOKESMAN
- REPRESENTATION AS A GROUP

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WRITE TO REPUBLICAN POLITICAL PRISONERS
www.irishfreedomcommittee.net - click on POWs