"An Urgent Appeal from The Workers' Party of Ireland to Prevent the Extradition of Party
President, Sean Garland, to the United States of America"
The Central Executive Committee of the Workers' Party of Ireland reports to all Human Rights Organisations
and all members of Oireachtas na hEireann that our Party President, Sean Garland, has been arrested while attending our Annual
Party Delegate Conference in Northerd Ireland on foot of a request by the government of the United States of America with
the active collaboration of the British authorities. Sean Garland has not been charged with with any criminal offence but
the US government wishes to extradite him to the US to face US "justice". The attack on Sean Garland is based on anti-communist
propaganda, an internal US political agenda, and forms part of a long-standing right-wing assault on the integrity of
the Workers' Party.
The Central Executive Committee of the Workers' Party of Ireland condemns in the strongest terms the provocative and politically
motivated arrest of Party President, Sean Garland, on the opening night of the Party's annual delegate conference in Belfast.
Sean Garland is a long-standing and respected member of the Workers' Party who has consistently worked for peace and democracy
in Northern Ireland and for the unity of the Irish working-class. He has opposed oppression throughout the world and, as a
senior member of the Workers' Party, he has been a vocal critic of the policies of the United States of America in its quest
for global hegemony, most recently in opposition to the war on Iraq.
The request for the extradition of Sean Garland by the US governemnt to a country which has a long record for the repression
of socialists and progressives, both at home and abroad, and where no political opponent can expect a fair trial is a blatant
attempt to interfere in the affairs of a democraetic political party and to intimidate those who oppose US imperial interests.
The Workers' Party makes clear that it shall not be intimidated and that it shall oppose, by every means at its disposal,
all attempts to extradite Sean Garland, a citizen of Ireland, from his homeland to a US prison.
The Workers' Party calls on all progressive forces in Ireland and throughout the world - particularly those people who
have worked closely with our party in the past - to oppose the persecution of a political activist with a long history of
selfless work for his party and for his class.
The Workers' Party will not be intimidated by the US and commits itself to its continuing struggle against US imperialism
aand for the victory of peace and socialism.
The Central Executive Committee of the Workers' Party of Ireland requests messages of solidarity and support to
wpi@indigo.ie
We ask you to write to the Irish and British governments demanding that the US request for the extradition of Sean
Garland should be rejected.
A further, comprehensive briefing document, will be circulated as soon as possible.
Fraternally
John Lowry
General Secretary
On behalf of The Central Executive Committee of the Workers' Party of Ireland
Wed 12th October 2005
