The Gazette 1986

sepTemBER

1986

GAZETTE

Amnesty International has always been concerned with the fate of individual prisoners and its method of operation reflects this; the "Adoption" Scheme: each group adopts a prisoner in another country and works for his/her release; the "Urgent Action" Scheme: individual members and sympathisers send letters and telephone and telex messages to authorities abroad on behalf of a named prisoner who is known to be undergoing torture or is gravely ill; Publicity: where appropriate, major publicity campaigns are undertaken to highlight systematic repression in particular countries; Research: a sustained level of research is conducted into human rights violations in respect of the punishment of prisoners. What contribution can lawyers in Ireland make? It is hardly surprising, given the nature of Amnesty's work, that lawyers have played and continue to play an important role in Amnesty International (a distinguished Irish lawyer, Sean McBride S.C., was a founder of the movement). Because of their training and experience, lawyers are in a position to draft letters and submissions to foreign authorities on behalf of prisoners, to help with research into legal aspects of Amnesty's work, or to plead the cause of a refugee seeking asylum in Ireland. The Lawyers' Group of the Irish section of Amnesty International has re-grouped recently and meets twice a month in Dublin. The group distributes the latest Urgent Action Appeals and considers what other action it can take to further the aims of the movement. It has to be said that the number of solicitors who are members is rather few. Any solicitor who would like to lend a hand but cannot possibly attend meetings can do valuable work by writing letters and telephoning as part of the Urgent Action Scheme. But better still, a solicitor who felt he or she could attend an evening meeting even once a month, would be most welcome to join the Lawyers' Group. Please see insert in this issue of the Gazette for more detailed information and for the address and telephone number of the Irish Section of Amnesty International. What is Amnesty International? Amnesty International is a worldwide movement which is independent of any government, political grouping, ideology, economic interest or religious creed. It plays a specific role within the overall spectrum of human rights work. The activities of the organization focus strictly on prisoners. • It seeks the release of men and women detained anywhere for their beliefs, colour, sex, ethnic origin, language or religion, provided they have not used or advocated violence. These people are termed "prisoners of conscience". • It advocates fair and early trials for all political prisoners and works on behalf of such persons detained without charge or trial. • It opposes the death penalty and torture, or other cruel, in- human or degrading treatment or punishment, of all prisoners without reservation.

Footnotes 1. See 'A Limitations.Conundrum' in the Gazette, Vol. No. 80 at pp.21 et seq. 2. (1985) 3 I.L.T. ns 47. 3. Among the authorities referred to by counsel were Lightfoot on Limitations, Harrison on Ejectment, Hales (3rd ed.) and Brady and Kerr on The Limitation of Actions in the Republic of Ireland. 4. Unreported Supreme Court judgment delivered on 5 July, 1986. 5. (1985) 3 l.L.T. ns 47. 6. (1838) 2 Jur. 892. 7. At p.9 of O'Dalaigh C.J.'s unreported judgment. 8. ibid, at p.6. 9. See s.28 of the Statute of Limitations, 1957. 10. See generally Brady and Kerr at pp.58 et seq. 11. See e.g. Stagg -v- Wyatt (1838) 2 Jur. 892. 12. [1918] 1 I.R. 140. 13. Unreported Supreme court judgment delivered 7 July, 1986, (1985 No. 301). 14. (1838) 2 Jur. 892. 15. 3 & 4 Will. 4, c.27. 16. Unreported Supreme Court judgment at p.5. 17. See s.28 of the 1975 Act. 18. The tenant by engaging in negotiations for the purchase of the landlord's interest clearly acknowledged the latter's title. Amnesty International Lawyers' Group Amnesty International, in little more than 25 years, has spread throughout the world. It is a movement concerned with asserting and vindicating the human rights of a particularly vulnerable group of people — prisoners. Prisoners of Conscience: All prisoners: the use of torture and other cruel and degrading punishment is opposed by all appropriate means and the abolition of the death penalty is urged. How does Amnesty International set about achieving these aims? ["AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL, I Irish Section, j 8, Shaw Street (off Pearse Street), Dublin 2. (Tel. 01-776361). J I WOULD LIKE TO JOIN AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL | I enclose my subscription (please tick box). j Individual: £10 • Unwaged: £3.50 • Couple:£15 • | I wish to pay by banker's order - please send me a form. | I commend your work -1 enclose a donation of £ • Please send me more information about Amnesty International j and its Irish Section. • I am particularly interested in • Name Phone | Address J Occupation the immediate release of such prisoners is sought and worked for a fair and early trial is sought Political prisoners:

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