Republican News · Thursday 21 February 2002

Why republicans must vote No

A Chairde,

Perhaps more than anyone, republicans are aware of the consequences of people being imprisoned for their beliefs or ideals. Certainly, we all know about suffering for them. Which is why I find it odd that people claiming to be republicans are calling for a YES vote in the abortion referendum.

The referendum criminalises those who help Irish women exercise what should be their natural right to choose, leaving them to face up to 12 years in prison. Simply for actively supporting the right to choose, you would be in a position to spend years in jail.

The proposed amendment rolls back the Supreme Court judgement of 1992, which acknowledged that the mental state, as well as the physical state of a pregnant woman should be taken into account when permitting her to terminate her pregnancy. If the referendum passes there will be no protection for the morning-after pill or the IUD from legal challenge. A YES vote is a vote to move Ireland back almost exactly ten years in time because the anti-choice movement has, from the dizzy heights of the moral high ground it has given itself, decided that Irish women are not mature enough, rational enough or, perhaps, trustworthy enough, to exercise the right to choose.

It is for this reason that, in line with stated Sinn Féin policy, I intend to vote NO.

Justin Moran,
Maynooth,
Co. Kildare

Selfish society?

A Chairde,

Emily O'Reilly, the noted journalist, has hit the nail on the head with her article titled "Society's Selfishness, the spur to Abortion Culture" (Sunday Business Post 10/2/02).

This selfishness is acceptable when (to quote Emily) "pregnant women (who) are living, breathing human beings with wills and lives of their own" choose to use that will to terminate the life of the living (though not yet breathing) human beings within them.

Is this what we want?

A "Yes" majority in the referendum would signal that such selfishness is not on - and that the government should provide alternative supports for women with real 'crisis' pregnancies.

Let us not be selfish ourselves. Go out to vote on 6 March to protect lives of both women and their unborn children.

Liam Ó hAlmhain
Baile Atha Cliath 6W

The unsung campaigners

A Chairde,

While greatly appreciating Fern Lane's comments about the studio audience at the Bloody Sunday TV showing, I feel I must remind her that there are people in Britain who are most unlikely to ever appear on the Box in discussion of events concerning Britain's actions in Northern Ireland. They include those who have fought for many years now in support of campaigns against Britain's role in that part of Ireland.

From the mid-'60s onwards, my own family had always welcomed our Belfast branch to our home, especially during the July periods of the sectarian unionist marching season and at times when members of the family were here seeking work. Our commitment increased greatly following the murder of our nephew, Louis Scullion, who was shot dead outside his home at Unity Walk by British troops in June 1972, six months after Bloody Sunday.

This led to my first trip to Belfast, to attend the funeral and to a whole new era of campaigning here against British injustice which was to involve Labour/trade union and student body campaigning and delegations to Northern Ireland. Those who took part in such activities are rarely, if ever, to be seen on television or anywhere else in our media when Northern Ireland is discussed.

Jim Arnison,
England

RSF asked to desist

A Chairde,

We the parents, brothers and sisters of Volunteer Paul Fox A. Coy. 2nd Batt. Oglaigh na hÉireann, who died on active service on 1 December 1975, would like Republican Sinn Féin to refrain from using his name in anything in relation to their organisation.

Mr & Mrs B Fox and family

Third World debt

A Chairde,

The remarks made by Gerry Adams in New York recently are to be welcomed. He was quite right to state that poverty and neglect pose a challenge to all world leaders. Indeed, his assertion that governments such as the US administration have a responsibility to tackle international poverty were refreshing considering the attempts of many to brush these issues under the carpet.

However, we must question the reason why the president of a radical left wing party would wish to attend a conference organised by the World Trade Organisation. The WTO itself has contributed to international poverty and Gerry Adams and Sinn Féin should have nothing to do with it. Republicans would be better off aligning themselves with the anti-globalisation movement, rather than with groups that have contributed to the Third World debt that is the cause of much hardship for millions of people.

Chloe Abercrombie,
County Meath

Smear tactics a sign of desperation

A Chairde,

Please permit me to respond to the recent series of articles in the media attacking Sinn Féin. This pattern of vilification of republicans has re-emerged in recent weeks as polls show Sinn Féin winning increased support, particularly from young people.

These crude attempts to smear Sinn Féin with spurious allegations of drugs dealing, organised crime, etc, are being orchestrated by establishment politicians, who are worried about the clear contrast between the selfless dedication of Sinn Féin activists and the selfish attitude of some Mé Féin politicians, as revealed in the ongoing Tribunals. Ironically, in view of the drugs allegations, as I write, news is coming through of the conviction of a Fianna Fáil councillor for drugs offences.

The bad news for the smear merchants is that their negative tactics are not working. Intelligent people are responding to Sinn Féin's positive message that the wealth created by Irish workers should be shared by the whole community rather than being squandered by tax amnesties and tax breaks for the very rich. The latest opinion poll shows strong majority support for Sinn Féin to be involved in government if that is what the voters decide. (By the way, I am opposed to Sinn Féin going into coalition with ANY of the right-wing parties). And the establishment parties' double standards on Sinn Féin in government north and south is giving credence to anti-Agreement wreckers and causing major problems for the Good Friday Agreement.

Cllr Dessie Ellis,
Finglas,
Dublin 11