Abolish the RUC
The advice offered by the Chairperson of the Northern Ireland
Police Federation against reforms in the RUC has deeply angered
Northern nationalists. It demonstrates the level of resistance
there is within the paramilitary force to even minimal reforms
and shows the contempt with which they hold the views of
nationalists.
Les Rodgers described those who did not support the RUC as
ranging from ``disaffected drop-outs...to irreformable criminals
and terrorists and those who support them''.
He claimed it was the wrong time for any review of policing in
the Six Counties and condemned what he termed the ``awful rush to
move us forward''.
Rodgers excused his comments by referring to non-existent
evidence that the IRA cessation was looking uncertain. This
despite the fact that the British government istelf admitted this
week that the IRA cessation is holding firm.
It is clear that Rodgers is firmly within the `securocrat'
faction which is resisting any moves towards demilitarisation in
the Six Counties and will use whatever arguments, no matter how
bogus, to avoid any ``movement forward'', as he said himself.
Rodgers' remarks betray the real views of the force he
represents. They merely point up the total unacceptability of the
RUC and underline the fact that the force has nothing of value to
offer towards the building of a new future on this island.
Nothing short of the RUC's total abolition will be evidence of a
real commitment to change.
Róisín - no case to answer
Róisín McAliskey has now been in prison for a year. The German
Federal Police have no reason to suspect her of involvement in
any offence. Yet since her arrest Róisin McAliskey has spent six
months in jails in Britain in such inhumane conditions as
warranted an international outcry, and an urgent action appeal by
Amnesty International.
Róisín and her daughter Loinnir are now resident in a psychiatric
hospital, being treated for the cumulative effect of the trauma
of arrest, interrogation, prison, degradation and cruelty. as
well as a physically difficult pregnancy.
A year after Róisín McAliskey's nightmare began it shows no sign
of ending. The judge dealing with her case says he intends to
order her extradition but that he cannot do so until she is well
enough to attend the court. This could take many months but in
the meantime her lawyers cannot take the next step which is to
appeal to a higher court or the British Home Secretary against
her extradition.
The injustice and inhumanity perpetratrated against Róisín
McAliskey is being done in the name of the Federal Reublic of
Germany. In the interests of justice and human rights the German
government must withdraw the extradition request.
The British government also has responsibilities in relation to
the ongoing trauma inflicted on Róisín in their jurisdiction. The
British should refuse the extradition in view of the clear lack
of evidence.
The Dublin government too must endeavour to protect Róisín's
human rights and raise the implications of the injustice with
both the British and German governments.
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