Britain Still Hides Behind Diplock

10/06/09

éirígí general secretary Breandán Mac Cionnaith has said that the retention of non-jury Diplock courts in the Six Counties is further proof that the British government remains wedded to repressive policies.

Paul Goggins, on behalf of the Northern Ireland Office, announced on Monday [June 8] his intention to extend non-jury trials for at least another two years, despite previous claims that the repressive measure was to be scrapped by July 31 this year.

Mac Cionnaith said: “We have heard countless claims over the last couple of years that Diplock courts were either on their way out or were, in fact, already a thing of the past.

“As éirígí pointed out at the time, these claims were wishful thinking and were made in complete contradiction of the British government’s Justice and Security Act 2007, which laid the foundations for the indefinite retention of Diplock courts in the Six Counties.

“The Diplock courts never went away; they remained in operation despite the British government’s claims of a return to normality. Paul Goggins has now confirmed his government’s intention of continuing to lock Irish citizens up without any semblance of a fair trial.”

Breandán continued: “The so-called justice system in the Six Counties is a sectarian, anti-republican, anti-working class institution. Its reason for existing remains the smooth operation and protection of the British occupation.

“The British government has no interest in reforming this system, bar cosmetic changes.

“Republicans, nationalists and all those with an interest in human rights should now recognise that the British government remains wedded to repression in the Six Counties. For evidence, we have to look no further than its criminal system of legalised injustice.”