David Ervine of the Progressive Unionist Party (PUP), the party closely associated with the UVF loyalist paramilitaries, speaking during a radio phone-in at the BBC on Tuesday (19th), strongly criticised the mainstream unionist parties (UUP and DUP) for not wanting an IRA ceasefire. He said that he believed the reason that they did not want an IRA ceasefire was because they do not want Sinn Fein at the negotiating table.
Three Republican prisoners were last week transferred to Portlaoise jail in the Irish Republic from England under legislation based on the European Convention on the Transfer of Sentenced Prisoners. Many people see this as the first 'real' transfer of Republican prisoners since the introduction of such legislation. Two prisoners have been transferred previously. However one is terminally ill and the other was nearing the end of his sentence. Despite its availability this legislation was not used by the British Government during the 18 month IRA ceasefire. This latest move has been welcomed by Sinn Fein, prisoners' support groups and civil liberties groups.
A significant portion of Creggan and Rosemount was sealed off by the British Army and the RUC at the weekend. This increased activity by the British came as they completed the erection of a third observation tower over the city by the British Army. Subsequently the RUC sought to justify their operation on the grounds that they had "foiled" a major IRA operation. In the event, in support of their allegations, the RUC produced a piece of wire which had been found near an embankment. RUC claims have been received with some scepticism amongst many people in Derry.
In another RUC raid last week in the Twinbrook estate in Belfast, boiler-suited officers smashed their way into the house of the mother of a seven week old baby and a one year old child. After arresting her in front of her distraught children, the RUC were forced to release her from Castlereagh interrogation centre when a doctor refused on medical grounds to authorise her continued detention.
The Pat Finucane Centre, British Irish Human Rights Watch and the Committee on the Administration of Justice, were united last week in their condemnation of the proposal to extend aspects of the Emergency Provisions Act in Northern Ireland and Britain. The proposal, made by Lord Lloyd of Berwick in the House of Lords, would make evidence from phone taps admissible in courts.
Approximately 100 young loyalists continued their picket of Harryville Roman Catholic Church in Ballymena. It is now ten weeks since this picket began. Worshippers were met with eggs and fireworks as well as some verbal abuse. Loyalists have said that they will call off their picket if an Orange parade this Sunday is allowed through the nationalist village of Dunloy. The proposed parade, which is not a traditional parade, has been timed to clash with a major GAA fixture in the village. In a statement Robin Percival of the Pat Finucane Centre said "once again those nationalists who supported Loyalists parading on Derry's city walls without an agreement with the local residents' group have been shown to be wrong in their assessment. Far from encouraging loyalists to moderate their demands it is now clear that members of the Orange Order are seeking new and provocative opportunities to march in nationalist and non-unionist areas. These attempts must be resisted with dignity and with nonviolent protest." :
Dr Alex Borlaine, Vice Chair of the South African Truth commission visited the Pat Finucane Centre at the weekend. He was in the North of Ireland making a TV documentary on the issue of truth and justice in conflict situations. He travelled to Derry to meet with members of the Centre. In a statement Robin Percival of the Pat Finucane Centre, said "the meeting with the Pat Finucane Centre allowed Dr Borlaine an opportunity to meet with some relatives of those killed by members of the security forces as well as loyalist paramilitaries. It also provided him with an opportunity to tell centre members about the work of the Truth Commission in South Africa which is chaired by Archbishop Desmond Tutu. He gave the centre an assurance that the Truth Commission is investigating the role of the former apartheid regime in South Africa providing arms to loyalist paramilitaries and the role of British Military Intelligence which acted as go-betweens".
The Pat Finucane Centre is changing its date for its weekly update on the world wide web to Wednesday. The Centre is also hoping to expand its service to human rights and political activists on the internet. If you have any ideas or comments please do not hesistate to e-mail the Centre at pfc@www.serve.com