Ireland: New Repressive Law Targets Republicans, Revolutionaries and Anti-Imperialists

Anti-Imperialist Action (AIA) Ireland has recently denounced the new law and explained that has been passed in order “to bolster its powers in policing political dissent”.

AIA explains that “An amendment to the so-called “Criminal Justice (Terrorist Offences) Act” will open greater bounds to harass Republicans and revolutionary anti-imperialists with bogus charges.” The opportunist Party Sinn Féin did not oppose to the passing of the law, claiming that they made an “abstention” against it.

Due to this new law, the courts will be able to keep detained activists without charge, and commit infringements on other fundamental rights such as the right to silence. Under this new amendment, the Irish State will be able to charge activists, only because they distributed, published, by any means, including internet, any message “inciting” or which “glorifies” whatever is deemed “terrorist activity”. AIA explains the real goals of this new law: “There can be little doubt that the true purpose of this legislation is to crack down on political protest, on Irish Republican commemorations, and on displays of support for the heroic Palestinian resistance in an attempt to criminalise any support for revolutionary resistance.”

AIA states firmly that this new law won’t stop the struggle: “There is nothing criminal about Irish Republicanism, and Republicans will not be deterred from pursuing our legitimate objectives.”