20 May 2004 Edition

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Leading ANC activist to open Coiste Summer School

Former ANC political prisoner Robert McBride will give the keynote address at the opening of Coiste na nIarchimí's Scoil Samhraidh, which will be held at Slievegullion Courtyard, Meigh, South Armagh, between 17 and 20 June. Speaking to An Phoblacht, Laurence McKeown, republican former prisoner and one of the organisers of the summer school, said he was thrilled that Robert had agreed to travel over, given his heavy work commitments. McBride, a death row inmate under the South African apartheid regime, is currently Police Chief for East Rand municiality's Metro Police.

"The theme of the summer school is Leadership in a Time of Change and Robert McBride has certainly demonstrated that over the course of his life, whether as an activist with Umkhonto we Sizwe (the ANC's military wing), as a political prisoner, a participant in the South African Truth and Reconciliation Commission, a diplomat, or now as a Police Chief," said McKeown.

"At a time when Coiste is working to bring about an end to all legal and discriminatory barriers against republican former prisoners, it is encouraging to see how far South Africa has gone in this regard and the pivotal role that former prisoners and combatants are now playing within all sectors of society there."

Raymond McCartney, former republican prisoner, current Chairperson of Coiste and soon to be MLA for Derry, extended a formal invitation to Robert when he accompanied Martin McGuinness recently to the the inauguration of President Thabo Mbeki and for the tenth anniversary celebrations of the ending of apartheid.

"Irish republicans have always had an interest in the struggle and developments within South Africa," said McCartney. "During negotiations leading to the signing of the Good Friday Agreement, senior members of the ANC visited Ireland regularly and on one historic occasion visited the H-Blocks of Long Kesh to meet with the prisoners and their female comrades from Maghaberry Prison. They were able to speak about their experiences and how they had dealt with negotiations that moved their country out of armed conflict. It has been amazing for me to now visit their country and see firsthand the work they are doing and the difficulties they have to deal with. It will be great to have Robert with us in South Armagh and I've no doubt he will make an excellent start to the Scoil Samhraidh."

Martin McGuinness will also address the Scoil Samhraidh on its opening day, 17 June, and formally welcome Robert McBride.

Other confirmed speakers include: Susan McKay, journalist and author; Danny Morrison, writer, columnist, author; Jude Collins, writer and broadcaster; Denis O'Hearn, lecturer at Queen's University and author of a soon to be published biography of Bobby Sands; Caitríona Ruane, human rights activist and Sinn Féin MLA for South Down; Chinedu Onyejelem, editor of Metro Éireann; Robbie McVeigh, human rights activist and researcher on racism and sectarianism, equality and human rights; Gerry Kelly, Sinn Féin MLA for North Belfast; Martina Anderson, republican former prisoner; Eoin Ó Broin, Sinn Féin Belfast City Councillor; Harry Maguire, Community Restorative Justice; Danny Kennedy, Unionist Party MLA for Newry/Armagh; and Mary Ruddy, Human Rights Awareness Officer with the Irish Human Rights Commission.

  • Further details and booking information can be obtained by contacting Coiste at +442890 200770 or on [email protected] or by visiting their website www.coiste.ie.

An Phoblacht
44 Parnell Sq.
Dublin 1
Ireland