David Ford, Justice Minister
Department of Justice, Block B
Castle Buildings
Stormont Estate
Belfast, Northern Ireland
BT4 3SG
Owen Paterson, Secretary of State
Northern Ireland Office
Stormont House, Stormont Estate
Belfast, Northern Ireland
BT4 3SH
Hugo Swire, Minister of State
Northern Ireland Office
Stormont House, Stormont Estate
Belfast, Northern Ireland
BT4 3SHNorthern Ireland
Prisons Service
Dundonald House
Upper Newtownards Road
Belfast
Northern Ireland
BT4 3SU
Steve Rodford
Governor, Maghaberry Prison
Upper Ballinderry Road
Lisburn, Co. Antrim
Northern Ireland
BT 28 2PT
Monica McWilliams, Human Rights Commissioner
NIHRC
Temple Court, 39 North Street
Belfast, Northern Ireland
BT1 1NA
Dear Sir/Madam,
I am writing to express outrage over the continuing reports from
Maghaberry Prison of gravely worsening human rights abuses to the
Republican prisoners at Roe House.
As of this writing I am aware that there are no working toilets or
sinks in the cells of the republican prisoners, following their
protests against the violent assaults by prison guards against Harry
Fitzsimmons and Turloch McAllister.
A representative of the Irish Freedom Committee spoke with the
family of Harry Fitzsimmons, who has related first-hand that he was
trampled, stamped upon, and violently beaten by prison guards before
being dragged into isolation and had his clothing cut off his body,
before being handcuffed and shackled to a bed. In a phone call to
his daughter just before being placed in isolation, Harry could
barely breathe or talk. His family has not heard from him since and
were denied subsequent visits or phone calls. Most distressingly,
his family and his solicitor have been told by Maghaberry prison
officials that they will not be allowed to speak to Harry until his
prison term is finished, three years from now.
I am also aware that prisoners at Roe House are complaining of no
access to fresh water, limited if any access to fresh air, no
electricity or hot water, destruction and theft of their personal
belongings, mail being held up going in and out of the prison, no
access to regular family visits or phone calls, poor quality of food
that has made several of the men ill, and repeated attempts by
screws to have the men humiliated and strip searched in order to see
family on visits. This is in addition to the violent assaults that
have taken place in recent days.
I demand an explanation as to how these continued abuses can carry
on day after day in a prison under jurisdiction of the British
government in Ireland.
The favor of a response is requested.
Sincerely, |
