Observers visit Bessbrook
by Deirdre Feehan
A delegation of International Human Rights observers visited the
south Armagh village of Bessbrook last weekend to see for
themselves the militarisation in the area.
The delegation was given a tour of the area by local residents,
members of the south Armagh Farmers and Residents Committee SDLP
councillor for the area, Stephen Maginn and SF Assembly member,
Pat McNamee.
The delegation was particularly interested in the High Street
area were residents are effectively under curfew when the main
road into the area is closed for 12 hours every day forcing
people to take a two mile detour along a narrow road.
Residents expressed their concerns to the observers, explaining
that British army activity and harassment has increased since the
IRA cessation. One man told them, ``They are using our lives to
protect them and the army base.''
International observer Carissa Zall said ``The local people have
exhausted every channel that could help them but to no avail,
there is no-one left for them to talk to, that is why they need
people like us. The only thing that will work is international
pressure.''
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