1. Add your name [or the name of your organisation] to the list of sponsors of the Tribunal. Executive, National Union of The London-based planning support.
Socialist Challenge tribunal not just internationally but in unions, trade union being prepared.
THE TRIBUNAL'S SPONSORS INCLUDE; Simone de Beauvoir Angela Davis Lord Anthony Gifford Jean Paul Sartre In Ireland:
Dr Noel Browne — member of Irish parliament Cyril Cusack- actor Margaretta D'Arcy - playFr Denis Faul — priest, civil berties campaigner Phil Flynn deputy general and Public Services Union director, Abbey Theatre, Dublin.
Bernadette McAliskey [Derlio] — tormer member, British Parlament Eddie MeAteer leader of the opposition in N Ireland parliament Matt Merrigan distric secretary, Amalgamated Tran sport and General Workers Union Please address all correspondence to International Officer Committee for the International Tribunal 182 Upper Street London N1 Britain committee of the International Tribunal on British Crimes in Ireland this week launch an intemational appeal for support for the tribunal. The appeal is made at a time when support for the tribunal is growing: Herbert Marcuse and Jean Paul Sartre are the latest to give their reprints the international appeal. It can be used to mobilise backing for the student branches and elsewhere, although specific appeals for these areas are also John Mulcaly editor, Hibernia, Irish weekly magaZine Michael Mullen - zeneral secretary, Irish Transport and General Workers Union Dr David Thoricy professor of political science, Trinity College, former member of Trish and European parliaments Association of Legul Justice, Nutional Executive, Irish Transport and General WorkLES LIS In Britaia:
Maureen Colquboun MP Dick Kelly MP Arthur Latham MP Tom Litterick MP House of Commons in London, in mid-January 1978.
We list below i very limited number of these reports:
for his death.
the Army. c) Recent Reports of the Use of Torture:
Constabulary d) The Prevention of Terrorism Act in Britain:
100 deported without charge or trial.
repercussions not only advisable, but necessary. It is hoped that such an enquiry will concern itseif with: • The role and activities of the British Army, prisoners in British, including English, jails.
The operation of no-jury courts in Northern Ireland Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act.
and other jails.
THE FORM OF THE TRIBUNAL labour movement organisations, acting as jurors.
review the evidence in its various forms. away, in addition to others over the course of this year. made out to The International Tribunal. Oscar Gregan International Officer Shortly after the judgement of the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg on January 18, 1978 which found Britain guilty of contravening Article 3 of the European Human Rights Convention by subjecting internees in Northern Ireland to inhuman and degrading treatment, the appeal for a Tribunal was launched at a press conference in the Although the British Attorney General, Sam Silkin had given assurance at the European Court in February, 1977 that such practices had been discontinued and would not be repeated, there are still an alarming number of reports of torture, brutality and violation of the most elementary human rights by the British security forces in Northern Ireland.
a) The case of Leo Norney, aged 17 shot dead by the British soldiers near his home in Helfast in 1975: The British Army claimed that he was a gunman. In May 1977 the Northern Ireland High Court effectively quashed chat claim by awarding his mother £3,000 in compensation b) On March 13, 1977, the London newspaper, the Sunday Times, carried a report on The Army's secret war in Northern Ireland'. The article reporied that i) The Britsh Army were used in Northern Ireland to set off explosions merely to discredit the IRA in November 1974. ii) Prisoners were planted with evidence including ammunition. li) Statistics were falsified by Members of the Police Surgeons Associarion — doctors employed by the Royal Lister have recently protested at the brutal treatment of persons undergoing interrogation. They have moved to make public the contents of their case-books.
Much concern has been aroused by the operation in England and Ireland of the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act, first introduced in November 1974, and revised in 1976. Over 3000 men and women have been arrested under the Act, and over WHY AN INTERNATIONAL TRIBUNAL ON BRITAIN'S PRESENCE IN IRELAND? As the above cases demonstrate, we believe that exercise of military, judicial and political control in the northern Six Counties of Ireland has disturbing implications for civil and human rights — in Britain as well as in Ireland. We consider that information so far available makes an open investigation into many aspects of the British presence and its It is necessary for the British people because the government, acts in their name — therefore they have the right to know precisely how it operates.
It is necessary in the international sphere becuuse the world community has an absolute right to satisty itself than there is no torture, intimidation, discrimination, hunan rights in any shape or form as a result of Britain's presence in Ireland. It is necessary also because of the apparent absence of any determination on the part of the responsible authorities to deal with allegations of abuse of power.
- the Royal Uster Constabulary and the Ulster Defence Regiment. * Allegations of torture ar interrogation centres, and allegations of abuse and assault on Irish * The operation of the Northern Ireland (Emergency Provisions) and the Prevention of Charges of discrimination in many fields levelled at the Northern Ireland authorities. * The treatment of Irish prisoners in the Maze Prison (Long Kesh), Armagh Women's Prison The question of freedom of speech and freedom of the press. Is the Government's influence being used to censor the flow of information and ideas?
Because it is the right and duty of the British people to uphold human rights and call for their own goverament to account in the event of any violations, the International Tribunal on Britain's Presence in Ireland will hold its major sessions before the largest and most representative possible body of delegates elected from trade unions and other bona fide Because it is the right of the world community to monitor the development of a conflict such as that centring on Britain's presence in Ireland, the "jury" will be joined by a panel of figures of international repute, selected from the growing lists of sponsors of the Tribunal, to The evidence will be taken from all relevant sources, regarding all relevant questions, the form of spoken and written testimony, film, slides and photographs. Those invited to make submissions will include both expert and lay witnesses, commentators, legal, medical and scientific professionals with relevant experience. The Committee for the International Tribunal is also issuing an invitation to Mr. Mason, and Mr. Merlyn Rees, Home Secretary. to appear or to appoint representatives to appear, or to make submissions to the Tribunal.
I am appealing on behalf of the London-based Committee for support from you or your organisation for this important initiative. We feel that international support can play a key role in broadening support for the Tribunal and strengthening its authority. In appealing for this support we would like you or your organisation to publicise the Tribunal in your own country. In particular there are a number of steps which can be taken right 2. Campaign for participation in the Tribunal from the widest spectrum of political. trade Sudents union, cultural, legal, academic individuals and organisations in your country. 3. Help finance the Tribunal. The cost of collecting evidence, bringing international judges to London, organising delegations to freland and hosting and poblicising the Tribunal will be high. Any financial help you can give directly, or organise in your country will he greatly appreciates. Donations should he made by International Money Order where possible and Barnet, For denial of and the British security forces in Northern Joan Maynard MP John Arden playwright Pat Arrowsmith Peter Hain - anti-aparthes Edward Bond - playwright Kalph Milibund professor of polities, Leeds University Sheila Robothom — feminist Trades Counci Battersea and Wandsworth, Coventry, Croydon, Greenwich, Hackney, beth, St Albans, Steppey and Bethna] Groen, Tameside.