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| North Korea's Fashionista |
At this point I suspect you're reaction is one of disbelief or you may be wondering, what's she on about or if this is some kind of joke? Well it's not!
As we are on the subject of dodgy haircuts and draconian dictators, the British Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Chipping Barnet M.P. Theresa Villiers comes to mind. Theresa Villiers has had her lawyers submit a legal application for a civil case in Northern Ireland to be held in a secret court for the first time.
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| The MP for Dodgy Barnet |
In the event this application is successful it must be asked will this become the norm and will it set a precedent which will allow all cases involving the state to be heard behind closed doors, as there are a lot of cases in which the states methods could be challenged in open court, and that's something they don't want!
The Justice and Security Act (2013) introduced last summer extended the use of secret courts to include civil cases in England. The secret justice bill was widely opposed by many MP'S in England who claimed this type of practice has no place in a democracy and that the practice resembled that of repressive regimes and tyrants. More than 700 people from the legal profession including 38 QC's signed a petition demanding the bill be scrapped stating it was 'dangerous and unnecessary; and that it would 'fatally undermine' the fairness of court hearings.
To try and deflect criticism of their use of secret courts, being magnanimous the British allow a defendant to have a state appointed advocate. This state-approved and appointed employee is forbidden from discussing any 'sensitive material' that may be produced in court. The person subject to Closed Material Procedure is not allowed to access the evidence against them or to challenge the evidence produced by government agencies such as Mi5. If the defendant wins the case the judge cannot explain how he came to his decision.
The great majority of national security agents will be run by the PSNI, under the strategic direction of the Service, mirroring the arrangements the Service has with the police in GB - Annex E St Andrews Agreement
At this juncture bear in mind it was agreed by Stormont Parties at the St Andrews talks to give Mi5 increased powers, and also worth mentioning is a certain Lyndsey Robb. Robb was a convicted Loyalist gun runner who was able to give secret evidence in a case against Lurgan man Colin Duffy.
During the trial Robb was identified only as witness 'C', as a result of Robb's evidence Duffy was given a life sentence, which was only overturned when it was established that Robb had no credibility (and was a convicted terrorist) – and here is a crucial point, it has been a long established fact that the British Government and its security services have been involved in many unsavoury acts. What is to stop them having evidence against someone provided behind closed doors, by an unnamed witness of Robb's ilk, they had no problem doing it in open court, so we can only guess at the injustices that could be carried out with no oversight or public scrutiny.
The bottom line is that the use of 'closed material' procedures denies you the right to build a defence or challenge the evidence against you. How do you defend what you can't see? Or is that the objective to cover things in a cloak of secrecy otherwise known as the national security card. How do you know someone providing evidence against you isn't a loyalist or someone on the payroll of the security services, or if any evidence exists.
As was seen in the recent case of Martin Corey (former life sentence prisoner) the Secretary of State sent him back to prison on the strength of closed material evidence. Martin Corey served a three and a half year sentence despite, being bailed by the courts, having no charge against him and was later released under strict bail conditions. It is extremely frightening that the British Secretary of State can overrule the judiciary and begs the question, why have a judicial system if a politician, and one with no mandate here in the North can veto its decisions?
In the cases of former life sentence prisoners the British Secretary of State claims to take her advice from the Parole Commission for Northern Ireland. The Parole Commission are a group of political appointees who operate behind closed doors, they are selected by the Secretary of State and the Northern Ireland Justice Minister. However it should be noted that whilst the British Secretary of State may take advice from the Parole Commission she is not bound by their advice.
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| Vorster - Is this an Ambush? |
John Vorster, a former South African Justice Minister and proponent of apartheid, once said he `would be willing to exchange all the 'South African' legislation of that sort for one clause of the Northern Ireland Special Powers Act.' I'm sure Mr Vorster would feel a certain kinship with the current regime here if he hadn't shuffled off this mortal coil and I'm sure Kim Jong-un would be so proud of the regime here in the North. So the next time you think of draconian legislation or dodgy hair cuts don't think North Korea, think Northern Ireland.
We're living in a Milan Kundera novel. Facebooked.
ReplyDeleteYour reference to North Korea is totally misplaced. You don't believe all the sh** British papers write about Ireland or Republican struggle, so why do you choose to believe them about other countries then,- countries you have never been to and know nothing, except for imperialist propaganda that is being fed to you. In fact, I feel much more free in North Korea than in the North of Ireland, and unlike you, I have experience of both!
ReplyDeletePauline,
ReplyDelete'I have just read a BBC news article on how men in North Korea are required to get a haircut similar to that of their leader Kim Jong-un.'
A Martin Mcguinness perm anyone?
Jane
ReplyDeleteThe reference to North Korea pointed out an absurdity. The point of using North Korea as an example is that it is often used by “imperialist” states as an example of a draconian and repressive regime when they are just as draconian and repressive. However it was interesting to note your comment focused more on North Korea and how safe it is than on the use of Secret Courts and draconian and repressive legislation, not forgetting how the Stormont parties gave Mi5 free reign at St Andrews.
I would also point out that like Theresa Villiers the MP for Dodgy Barnet Kim Jong-un does have a seriously sh1t haircut, unless those damn dirty imperialists have been photo-shopping Kim Jong-un's hair in every photograph.
Robert I'll pass on the perm although I should admit I'm very envious of Maeve McLaughlin's beautiful thick hair.
yeah, its all made up about north korea, pull the other one. jane were u one of kiml whatever hes called harem or something.
ReplyDeleteThis is the same North Korea that the United States Government says has 'draconian internal control mechanisms' and that the 'regime’s greatest security concern is opposition from within'.
ReplyDeleteSame could be said of America
@ JaneDrebin Re ‘In fact, I feel much more free in North Korea than in the North of Ireland, and unlike you, I have experience of both!”
ReplyDeleteWell blow me down with a Kim HairKut! Why not keep popping back over there darling! The poverty, endemic suffering, the constant surveillance, the monitoring and encouraging individuals to even inform on their fam if someone in the fam dissents. It’s so free living in a nutted down hell! Those lovely FREE prison slave labour camps built in the middle of no-where for the ‘dissidents’. Hellooo! You r not the only one to have travelled wide & far (hate to burst ya bullshit bubble haha) To intimate N. Koreans experience life as free BECAUSE you felt free - even S. Koreans would laugh (some would spit) in yer face. Btw S. Korea is a pretty nutted down place too in its own way BUT I figure NB U must hang out with the top brass munching on pickles Or the MOST LIKELY scenario be you is sucking on N. Korean dick.
Pull yer pants up Jane & get hip to the real world.. You r traitorous insulting dross mocking N. Koreans suffering and the incredible bravery of those who died , those incarcerated for wanting freedom & those who will eke out horrendous existences – their voices unheard, their stories unknown.
@ Pauline M. It was a good read and important content – thanks. It seems like nothing has changed – the analogy of Kim J. was apt. The word ‘secret court’ makes one shudder…
ReplyDeleteThanks Mary
ReplyDeleteWhat I noticed first about Jane's response was that she had made quite a few assumptions but felt it best to point out issues she clearly overlooked.
Bkeane, your comment on how the same applies to America is spot on. 'Draconian internal control mechanisms' and that the 'regime’s greatest security concern is opposition from within'. This statement could apply to anywhere not just North Korea which is why I finished the article with “So the next time you think of draconian legislation or dodgy hair cuts don't think North Korea, think Northern Ireland.
Villiers looks like a man eater thats been dragged through a bush.
ReplyDeletePauline & Robert,
ReplyDeleteI might be wrong but I think that’s a first for the Quill had a laugh about perms and beautiful locks never thought about dodgy haircuts before.
max
ReplyDeletevilliers looks like a man
You're probably right she wouldn't be my cup of tea anyway, i've always called her 'a richman's bitch'
ReplyDeletePersonally, when I first seen Kimmy telling all the men folk in North Korea to have his hair cut..I thought..Good move. When Uncle Sam and the rest of Team America go in and try to topple you, they'll have millions of people who look like him..
ReplyDeleteSecretary of State requests use of secret courts for first time in Northern Ireland civil cases
By Barry McCaffrey
LAWYERS for the Secretary of State are to make a legal application for a court case in Northern Ireland to be held in secret for the first time.
However the move has raised concerns that potentially large numbers of Troubles-related cases involving the state and its intelligence services could be held behind closed doors.
The Detail has learned that lawyers for Theresa Villiers are to ask the High Court in Belfast to impose Closed Material Procedure (CMP) restrictions in a legal case being taken by a former dissident republican prisoner who is suing the Secretary of State for unlawful detention.
Earlier this month lawyers acting for Ms Villiers put solicitors acting for the former dissident inmate on notice that they would be making a legal application to the High Court to impose CMP measures to ensure that the lawsuit would be held behind closed doors.
Closed Material Procedure (CMP) restrictions allow government, police or intelligence agencies to request that a court case be held in secret and without the active participation of the opposing legal counsel and their client.......
Seems to me that alot of laws are back doored in to the UK mainland via the six counties. Only when they've ironed out 'teething' problems etc are they implemented...
I agree with Mary Marscal it was indeed a good read Pauline, Mickybroy and many other quisling cronies would say never mind the leaders haircut we want our leaders bum treatment,(they dont know they have already been shafted several times)if Villiers and her cronies had there way we would all be screwed,and by the time Camerons millionaires cabinet are finished with us there will not be a bee,s wing of difference between here and N.Korea both in lifestyle and civil liberties,ffs we will all be growing beards here ,not being able to afford a shave including the women.
ReplyDelete