MAGHABERRY POWs ANNOUNCE SUSPENSION OF PROTEST

international | miscellaneous | press release Saturday May 05, 2007 13:29 by Seán Ó Murchú - Sinn Féin (Poblachtach) - Cork

Statement from O/C CIRA POWs in Maghaberry Gaol

The Republican Prisoners held in Maghaberry Concentration Camp have agreed to temporarily suspend their 10-month long protest. Since 19th June 2006 Republican POWs have been protesting against a régime which seeks to criminalise those who continue to struggle for Ireland's Freedom.

Throughout the long months of protest representatives of the POWs have held meetings with various organisations including the hierarchy of the Catholic Church: indeed Archibishop Seán Brady visited the prison and spoke directly with the O/C of the prisoners on protest. During these meetings the Church representatives appealed to the prisoners to suspend their protest in order to allow them to enter discussions on the prisoners' behalf. Whilst the POWs demanded direct talks between their O/C and the Brits it was then decided not to escalate the protest. The decision to suspend the current phase of protest was taken after the Leadership of Óglaigh na hÉireann were informed by the Gaol O/C.

Whilst there have been some changes implemented to improve conditions since this decision we believe that they only partially meet our demands.

The following are the changes:

· Access to classroom for self-education

· Inter-wing football

· Access to dining room for breakfast and dinner on a rotational basis

· More time out of cell resulting in a 16-hour and 19-hour lock-up as opposed to the previous 19 and 23-hour lock-ups

Although we must acknowledge that significant change has been made we believe that a lot more needs to be done.

We have only agreed to a temporary suspension in order to show that we are not intransigent; we will not accept the continuation of any policy which seeks to criminalise Republican POWs. We would urge the NIO and the Brits not to view our suspension as a sign of weakness, but rather as a sign that we are willing to give room for manoeuvre – the room that was requested from us by intermediaries. We wish to restate that we will not tolerate any more foot-dragging on the issues pertaining to better living conditions. We will not allow the status quo to remain for a further 3 years without more significant change. The ball is again in the Brits' court.

O/C CIRA

Republican Prisoners

Maghaberry Gaol