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29 January 1998 Edition

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Back issue: Britain's guilt unquestionable

With reports of Strasbourg's European Court of Human Rights absolving Britain of the use of torture on Irish political prisoners, many here in Derry feel the same sickening disgust and betrayal of justice felt on the publication of Britain's infamous Widgery Report about Bloody Sunday, according to a statement from Comhairle Cheantair Doire.

Those of us in the Six Counties who have experienced Britain's inhuman and degrading treatment at first hand, or whose relatives and friends suffered it, know beyond any doubt - just as we know from our first-hand experiences on Bloody Sunday - that Britain's guilt is unquestionable.

Even Amnesty International, by no means a radical organisation, found Strasbourg's verdict ``completely ridiculous''. Mr Simpson of Amnesty International on the `Tonight' TV programme accused Western society of degenerating, just like South Africa.

Amnesty International also believes the matter should be pursued at UN level for a possible conviction according to the Human Rights charter of the United Nations.

Britain made much of the contrast between some totally physical torture and what they did in Ireland. To those whose only contact with torture is through TV films or books about the Nazis, physical torture may seem more ``real'' and important than mental torture.

An Phoblacht, 1 February 1978.


An Phoblacht
44 Parnell Sq.
Dublin 1
Ireland