Ray O’Hanlon at the Irish Echo has an update on Tim Spicer’s contract in Iraq.
The contract is being opposed by the Pat Finucane Centre because of his role in the case of Peter McBride. He was commanding officer of the Scots Guards in Belfast in 1992, when two of his soldiers gunned down 18-year-old Peter McBride.
The pair were found guilty of murder. However, they were released early after a campaign in which Spicer featured prominently. They were allowed to resume active service even though their convictions stands to this day.
The Pat Finucane Centre is asking supporters to Send Aegis Defence Services an email with the simple message ‘Peter Mc Bride’ to centre@aegisdef.com
In its latest mail-out, the Centre also says it plans to bring the campaign to London again in the next few months:
At present we are planning for a large public meeting in London on September 4, the anniversary of Peter’s murder, to harness support for the Article 7 campaign. A planning meeting will be held in London on Saturday June 11 to gather ideas and build support for the September 4 event. Those wishing to attend should contact the PFC at pfc@iol.ie
ARTICLE 7 CAMPAIGN
Article 7 of the UN Convention states; “All are equal before the law and are entitled without any discrimination to equal protection of the law.”
The Mc Bride family have long argued that the decision to allow the soldiers convicted of Peter’s murder to rejoin the British Army constituted a blatant act of discrimination against their family and in favour of the soldiers. In effect the UK Government failed to provide the Mc Bride family with the equal protection required under Article 7 of the convention.
International Day of Action
In addition we are asking supporters in other countries to help plan events for a further International Day of Action to coincide with the September 4 anniversary. Events could include lobbying of elected representatives, pickets and/or unannounced visits to British embassies and consulates (or British Army recruitment offices in the UK), email/fax/phone campaigns, street theatre and non-violent direct action. Supporters in the US should consider focussing on the Spicer Iraq contract. Now is a good time to pull together a small organising group in your area for the September 4 International Day Of Action. Please keep the PFC informed!
See www.serve.com/pfc/pmcbride/mcbindex.html for detailed background on the Mc Bride case.
Reminder -planning meeting in London on Saturday June 11 to gather ideas and build support for the September 4 event. Those wishing to attend should contact the PFC at pfc@iol.ie
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