Release them now
The issue of political prisoners has been a central feature of
the Peace Process since the beginning. Prisoners were
instrumental in making the peace process a reality and in
contributing towards the situation where ceasefires were put in
place and maintained, underpinning the entire process.
The release of political prisoners formed a significant element
of the Good Friday document and as a result an independent
Prisoners Commission with international experience was
established. This Commission has been doing its job well to date,
and have recommended numerous prisoner releases.
However, the work of the Prisoners Commission seems to be
frustrated by the Northern Ireland Office who have not acted
according to the recommendations made. So far only a handful of
prisoners have been released and no reasonable excuse has been
forthcoming to explain why the other prisoners recommended for
release by the Commission are still in jail.
It must be assumed that securocrats within the NIO are using
their influence to minimise the number of prisoner realeases.
This is having a severely detrimental effect within the community
and undermining people's faith in the prospect of political
progress. Such feelings are particularly acute in the wake of the
speedy releases of the British army killers of Belfast teenager
Peter McBride, which followed none of the agreed procedures.
The seriousness of the situation cannot be understated. This
issue needs urgent attention and answers will have to be given as
to what is holding up the process. There are no excuses for the
delay. The prisoners must be released now.
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