Paras and C18
It should not come as a surprise to anybody who has become familiar
with the history of Bloody Sunday that the Parachute Regiment of the
British army would come under the spotlight for bigotry. The
attention this time comes about because of the large number of active
fascists, racists and loyalists in the regiment. The action on Bloody
Sunday of the Para's was state-sponsored murder of innocent people
marching for civil rights. Obviously the Parachute Regiment of today
is still a haven for people fighting against any sort of civil
rights.
Take Darren Theron, a Para for the past five years who has served in
both the Six Counties and Bosnia. In 1995 he recieved a warning for
assualting a black soldier. A year later he had joined Combat 18, a
neo-nazi terror group whose leader is serving time for murder and
which has sent letter bombs to prominent stars from minority
backrounds, such as Frank Bruno. Theron's picture appeared in Combat
18's magazine standing over a pile of dead bodies in Bosnia.
Jim Samways is another example. He rejoined the Para's in 1996 and
was already a member of facist organisations in the British National
Party and Combat 18. In 1996 he was a part of the Combat 18, security
group which provided protection for the Apprentice Boys of Derry
march in London. At this he was with Eddie Whicker who is part of the
leadership of the UDA in England. He has also been spotted at
funtions to raise money for the UVF. These are not the only members
of the far right in the Para's. Others include people associated with
the LVF through nazi organisations.
These people are part of the British army, which has occupied the Six
Counties in order to prop up sectarian Unionist rule. They have gone
further by becoming involved in organisations, which distribute
racist propaganda and carry out racist attacks. The British
government has tried to paint a picture of the army being an innocent
party trying to keep sectarianism at bay. Maybe instead of whinging
about decommissioning it should look at dismantling its own sectarian
and racist instiutions.
Damian O'Leathlabhair
Diplock judges and international stanards
A Chairde
Judge Brian Kerr will be winging his way from Belfast to the USA
later this month having been awarded the Eisenhower Exchange
Fellowship. The exchange program was set up to foster international
understanding and an exchange of information and ideas.
It is about time that judges from the North of Ireland seek new ideas
and gain exposure to international judicial practices. Many within
the American judiciary are concerned, despite the peace process, that
Diplock courts still exist in the North and that the administration
of justice here still requires much reform, particularly its courts.
Continued and serious investigation is being pursued by many
Americans into the North's judicial history. This was witnessed
earlier this month in Belfast when an American delegation of lawyers
and human rights advocates held an investigation into the North's
policing system.
Judge Kerr will no doubt be questioned about the process of law in
the North, the policing system, right to silence and jury trials, or
lack of them. Whether or not Kerr comes under scrutiny from his
international hosts, the trip itself could potentially be a positive
step.
Regardless of particular justice systems, it is the judge himself who
can make a real difference in a court. Who or what he aspires to,
however, and where he comes from will inevitably have some impact on
his decision making. Few judges would admit this. What makes a white,
conservative middle class judge in Texas hand down the death sentence
has as much to do with the judge's attitude toward the sentence as
does its legality. Also, ``lenient'' is not a word that a Northern or
Texas judge would tolerate. Heavy sentences make good careers.
Assuming Judge Kerr seeks out the company of magistrates other than
those from Texas, he should have the opportunity to learn that jail
sentences do not equal justice.
During Judge Kerr's trial of the Ballymurphy Seven in Belfast during
1994 and 1995 the defendants parents were urged to pray for Judge
Kerr, that God grant him the prudence to make a just and right
decision. In the end, all but one of the young men, were acquitted.
their acquittal has less to do with God's intervention, however, and
everything to do with that of the defendant's families. A five year
international campaign lodged by them to expose the case won it in
the end. Begrudgingly, Judge Kerr acquitted the young men but
insisted their innocence was in question.
It is ironic that during the trial of the Ballymurphy Seven that
American observers were prevented from attending the trial by Judge
Kerr. Kerr's visit will not in itself make much diference to our
system. In being asked to travel to the USA, however, Judge Kerr must
assume that his judicial decisions and those of his counterparts are
being seriously considered. Acceptability in the international legal
community necessitates accountability and hopefully this will be an
opportunity Judge Kerr will live up to.
Spokesperson
Voice of the Innocent, Belfast
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