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| From: Irish Freedom Committee News List Sent: Tuesday, May 08, 2001 10:34 AM Subject: ACTION REQUEST: Robert Hamill IRISH FREEDOM COMMITTEE NEWSLIST www.irishfreedomcommittee.net ----------------------------- Subject: ACTION REQUEST: Robert Hamill Date: Tuesday May 08, 2001 In the early hours of April 27 1997, 25-year-old Robert Hamill was kicked to death by a mob of 30 loyalists in Portadown. The brutal attack took place in full view of a fully manned RUC Land Rover, only 200 yards from a RUC police barracks. The four armed and riot-gear-protected RUC officers watched the whole attack from inside the Land Rover, ignoring pleas from Hamill's sister to intervene and disperse the crowd. Once back-up did arrive, the RUC did not administer first aid, did not declare a crime scene until another six hours had passed, and did not collect forensic evidence or take statements or witnesses' names and addresses. The murderers were encouraged by police to leave the scene. Only when Robert Hamill finally died 12 days later were arrests finally made. The ensuing attempts to bring justice to the family have been a sham. Due to a botched police inquiry; the five men charged with his murder were released, and a sixth was acquitted. In light of last week's European Court judgment against Britain for Human Rights violations in the shoot-to-kill deaths of 12 people, please remind Prime Minister Tony Blair and Northern Secretary John Reid that you are fully aware that the circumstances surrounding Robert Hamill's death constitute blatant State violation of the right to life. Article 3 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights states: "Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person". Please use the letter below, issued from the Robert Hamill Campaign, or write your own words - remember to keep the letter factual. Email, post or fax the letter to the addresses below. The offices will close for the day at approximately 4PM GMT, which is shortly. A letter stamp from U.S. will cost .60¢ to $1.00, and the effect of your opinion is worth far more. The Irish Freedom Committee www.irishfreedomcommittee.net ************************************************ From the Robert Hamill Campaign, Hamillcampaign@cs.com (Tuesday, May 8th, is the fourth anniversary of Robert Hamill's murder. Please fax the following letter to the Prime MInister at (00 44) (0)207 925 0918 and the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland at (00 44) (0)2890 528 201, ideally on the day itself. ) ------------------ Date: Dear Mr Blair and Mr Reid, As you may know, May 8th is the fourth anniversary of Robert Hamill’s death. The case for an independent judicial inquiry is overwhelming, and to torment the Hamill family by delaying justice is inhumane. Such a policy can only be explained by political pressure from the Ulster Unionist Party and private pressure from the RUC. Such considerations must be overruled in the cause of truth and justice. The Ombudsman’s investigation is welcome, but it is not a thorough investigation of the circumstances surrounding Robert’s death. The fact that arrests have recently taken place is a reaffirmation of the fact that a great deal is badly wrong in this case. The arrests do not demonstrate that everything is in hand and should not delay the announcement of an inquiry. Your responses to correspondents still insist that an inquiry will not be called while there is a "possibility of proceedings". This is unjust, firstly because there is always the possibility of proceedings. New evidence could come to light at any time. How many years must the Hamills wait before the all the facts are aired thoroughly and publicly? Secondly, by insisting that there must be no possibility of proceedings, the government has limited the family’s legal options, and the reward for their patience seems to be inaction. Please do not humiliate this family any longer by making them wait. They have suffered enough. You will be aware that similarities have been drawn between the sectarian murder of Robert Hamill and the racist murder of Stephen Lawrence, and that the Lawrence family support the Hamills’ calls for justice. Robert’s case deserves the same kind of scrutiny as Stephen’s, and there is no argument for further delay. I would appreciate a response to this letter. Yours sincerely (YOUR NAME / ADDRESS HERE) ************************************************ Prime Minister Tony Blair MP, 10 Downing Street, London SW1A 2AA E-mail: labour-party@geo2.poptel.org.uk Fax: 0171-277 3300 FREE FAX: remote-printer.Hon_Tony_Blair@4417192509 18.iddd.tpc.int Tel: 0171 701 1234 John Reid MP, Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Block B Castle Buildings Belfast BT4 3ST Tel: (00 44)(0) 02890 520 700 (24 hours) Fax: (00 44) (0)2890 528 201, or (00 44)(0)2890 528473/ 528478/ 528482 e-mail: press.nio.@nics.gov.uk ************************************************ For further information on the murder of Robert Hamill go to IFC Updates Archives: - "No State Inquest for Robert Hamill", 06/08/00 |
Sent: Friday, May 04, 2001 10:20 AM Subject: IFC UPCOMING NATIONAL EVENTS IRISH FREEDOM COMMITTEE NEWSLIST www.irishfreedomcommittee.net ----------------------------- Subject: IFC UPCOMING NATIONAL EVENTS Date: Friday May 04, 2001 ----------------------------- DORCHESTER, MA - SATURDAY MAY 12, 2001 The Boston Chapter of the Irish Freedom Committee, Kerins-O'Neill Unit, will host its 3rd Annual Evening of Irish Music; to benefit the dependents of Irish Republican Political Prisoners. The event will be held at the Lounge at the Teachers Union Hall, Columbia Circle, Dorchester MA; from 8 PM to Midnight. Featuring the popular Dan Hallissey's Music. Cash Bar, Expanded Dance Floor. $10 Donation at the door. There will be a raffle with a First Prize of $500 in Lottery Scratch Tickets, with 90 chances to win $1 Million! 2nd Prize is a beautiful leade Tyrone Crystal vase. Many other prizes. Raffle Tickets $2.00 ea., or 6 for $10.00. For directions or more information please contact mjoyce9999@hotmail.com. ++++++++ FOREST PARK, IL - SATURDAY MAY 12, 2001 The Chicago Chapter of the Irish Freedom Committee, Charlie Kerins Unit, will host its Annual Spring Fundraiser,to benefit the dependents of Irish Republican Political Prisoners; at Murphy's, 7414 West Madison, Forest Park IL, from 8PM to Midnight. Guest Speakers and Musical Guest to be announced. $10 suggested Donation at the door. Raffle Drawing for a First Prize of Two Round-Trip Tickets to Ireland. 2nd and 3rd Prizes of republican prisoner craftwork. Many Door Prizes! Raffle tickets $10 ea, 3 for $25.00. For directions or more information please contact deemail@msn.com. ++++++++ WORCESTER MA - DATE TBA The Worcester MA chapter of the Irish Freedom Committee will hold a drawing for Two Round-Trip Tickets for an All-Expenses paid trip to Ireland. Drawing date TBA. Tickets are $25 ea, only 300 to be sold. For more information please contact BritFree32@aol.com. ------------------------- For more information about how you can help support the growing number of POWs now being criminalized and denied political status by the British and Irish Governments, please contact us at the address below. Go raibh maith agat; The Irish Freedom Committee www.irishfreedomcommittee.net ************************************************ © The Irish Freedom Committee NewsList - IFC Updates Permission to re-publish any article from this post is granted provided signature is attached and the active link back to this site is included. |