Belfast Meeting -- FULL STATUS NOW Campaign

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Subject: Belfast Meeting

Author:
Andy'T News

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Date Posted: 08:34:14 08/13/02 Tue

>
>Andersonstown News
>29 April 2002
>
>RIRA boycott 'POW' meeting
>By Allison Morris
>
>Republicans from a wide range of groups gathered in
>Conway Mill yesterday to discuss the crisis in
>Maghaberry Prison where dissident republicans are
>demanding to be segregated from loyalist inmates.
>
>However the 32 County Sovereignty Committee, the group
>representing the majority of prisoners currently held
>in Maghaberry, boycotted the meeting.
>
>Geraldine Taylor from Republican Sinn F�in opened the
>meeting saying that contrary to reports in Thursday's
>Andersonstown News, the only enemies of those seated
>in the room were "the British establishment."
>
>Speakers from the platform and the floor raised fears
>for the safety of prisoners and suggested ways to
>defuse tension in the jail.
>
>The meeting was attended by spokespersons from many
>local political groupings including the IRSP, Sinn
>F�in and the Official Republican Movement.
>
>Families of prisoners currently held in Maghaberry,
>both on remand and sentenced, gave accounts of
>strip-searches and beatings at the hands of loyalists
>and prison warders.
>
>"Although the issue of political status is one we will
>continue to pursue we must now concentrate on
>achieving segregation before someone pays for this
>British policy with their life," said Geraldine Taylor
>of RSF.
>
>"Small numbers of republicans are being housed with
>loyalists, outnumbered five to one. It is critical
>that segregation is implemented and to do that we need
>support.
>
>"To implement effective protests we need people to
>come out in support of the prisoners and leave their
>political beliefs to the side. This is for all the
>prisoners' welfare, not just those we represent."
>
>IRSP spokesperson Paul Little said that to rule out
>the support of mainstream politicians would be foolish.
>
>"Until the elected representatives of our areas are
>asked for their support, we cannot simply rule them
>out. This is too important an issue. If they refuse to
>help then other avenues can be explored.
>
>"History has shown that when it comes to the issue of
>prisoners most people would back calls for
>segregation."
>
>At the end of the meeting a prisoner support group was
>set up and it was agreed that a letter be sent to all
>the elected representatives on behalf of the meeting,
>rather than from one group, asking for public support
>for the "prisoners' human rights".

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