Workers Solidarity Movement

The violence that erupted within the confines of Maghaberry Prison this week was the accumulation of ongoing tensions directed at political prisoners by Prison Authorities who are continuing to implement a punishing regime within the confines of Roe House, which houses around fifty Republican Political Prisoners. That's why we are saying End The Abuses in Maghaberry – Solidarity with Political Prisoners!

Since the end of January the Republican wing was put on lock down, 23 hour lock up, controlled movement and regular brutal forced strip searching despite an agreement brokered in the summer of 2010 to address these issues.

At the height of the violence, white-line pickets and protests occurred in both Belfast and Derry, as well as outside Maghaberry Gaol itself in an effort to highlight the abuse of human rights within Roe House. Reports coming directly from Maghaberry have been reminiscent of the horrors inflicted on Political prisoners in the H Blocks and Crumlin Road Gaol during the 1970’s and 1980’s. Prisoner representatives and their families have stated that several prisoners within Maghaberry’s Roe House have been attacked and beaten with one prisoner requiring hospital treatment after sustaining a broken arm. Legal challenges have also taken place as solicitors for those prisoners assaulted have been denied access to their clients who were initially refused immediate medical treatment as a result.

As anarchists we make no apology for supporting political prisoners and opposing human rights abuses by the state as this has to be the concern of us all. We call on everyone concerned or campaigning on behalf of human rights and social justice issues to make their voices heard in an effort to prevent this situation from continuing to happen.

We must stand against all forms of torture and abuse against political prisoners, no matter what our political differences. It is vital that the Trade Union movement also make their voices heard in relation to these human rights violations and the unwritten policy of internment without trail which continues to this day.

Solidarity and direct action on the streets are our greatest weapons!