In what must rank as one of the most pig-headed decisions in the history of the UK Prison Service the Northern Ireland Division of the organisation has refused to review its ban on prisoners being allowed to wear Easter Lilies.

In a somewhat puerile attempt to justify the ban the Service points to a `judicial' decision on the issue.

The Celtic League intend to continue to campaign on this issue which effectively accepts the `remembrance day' poppy as symbol of tradition and sees the Lily regarded as a `paramilitary emblem'. (See below):

"Prison Service Northern Ireland

Our reference: Easter Lilies

18th May 2009

Re: Easter Lilies

Dear Sir/Madam

In response to your letter dated 17th April 2009, I can confirm the following:

A number of prisoners were indeed placed on report for refusing an order to remove Easter Lilies when they were leaving a prisoner Recreation Room and entering on to the Residential Landing.

The Northern Ireland Police Service has previously stated in an application for Judicial Review of Christopher Donaldson to the Queen's Bench Division, reference WEAH4835.T

"That certain emblems are permitted, such as poppies or shamrock, although they are primarily symbols of particular traditions, while certain emblems are prohibited such as Easter Lilies, because while they may be symbols of a particular tradition they are also regarded as a paramilitary symbol of conflict."

Weatherup J agreed with the Prison Service stance and stated:

"I was satisfied that the characters of the poppy and shamrock were not generally perceived as primarily emblems of the conflict. From the applicants point of view it may have been that he viewed the poppy as an emblem of conflict, as representing British militarism in Ireland, but the Fair Employment Commission did not consider that the poppy was perceived as a conflict emblem. I accepted the objective and reasonable justification for the different treatment of the Easter Lily that was offered on behalf of the respondent."

The Northern Ireland Prison Service's stance on this matter has been well tested by the courts and has been seen as fair and proportionate.

The prison authorities have no plans to reconsider the current policy.

I hope this response clarifies the situation.

Yours faithfully

Andrew Tosh Governor V Residential"

Related article of Celtic News here:

(voir le site)

J B Moffatt Director of Information Celtic League

29/05/09

• Emmanuel Grégoire et l’abbé Macron  par David Grosclaude le 23/11/2024
• Pays de Redon. La Bogue d’or, rendez-vous du « génie populaire » par Le blog de paul Molac le 05/11/2024
• Catherine Vautrin en Corse : Régions et Peuples Solidaires appelle l’Etat à enfin aboutir sur l'autonomie par RPS le 25/10/2024
• Gouvernement Barnier : des nominations inquiétantes par RPS le 24/09/2024
• Quelle future gouvernance en France ? par Marcel Berrou le 08/07/2024
• Après deux cycles de trois ans du Parlement de Bretagne réveillé, voici venir le troisième cycle ! par KAD le 01/07/2024
• Résolution pour la Réunification de la Bretagne à la XIXème Assemblée Générale de l'UNPO à Munich, les 11 et 12 mai 2024 : par KAD le 07/05/2024
• TER Nouvelle Aquitaine : quelle honte !   par David Grosclaude le 18/04/2024
• Les Braises de la Rencontre, le 5 mai 2024, sur le parc de sculptures mémorial de MAB Koad Sav Pell ! par MAB, Musée Archipel Breton le 16/04/2024
• Koun Breizh s’indigne : Non ! les festoù-noz ne sont pas des lieux réservés aux « attardés » ! par Koun Breizh - Bertaign Tenant - Mémoire-de-Bretagne le 07/01/2024