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Introduction – Justice Delayed Justice Denied Before Christmas we were told of yet another delay to the publication of the findings of the Saville Inquiry. It is now unlikely to report until late autumn 09, more than 37 years after the events it inquires into. Certainly for family members of the murdered, many who have since died, and those of the wounded who are no longer with us justice delayed has been justice denied. However this delay in justice resonates beyond the case itself which is why Martin Luther King could say 'Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere'. 37 year's ago Lord Widgery's Inquiry took the side of injustice. His report retrospectively legitimised the military repression of the civil rights movement. To him justice wasn't a human ideal he had a duty to strive towards but merely a political consideration of the vested interests he represented. So the ideal was hollowed out to become another tool of oppression. What explains the enthusiasm that surrounds President Obama's election and his first days in office is not just the colour of his skin but also the hope that he represents a turning away from the hollowing out of the principles of democracy and justice we have witnessed for too long and a turning back in the direction of justice. When we look to recent war crimes in Gaza clearly the Palestinian people need justice but we can neither put all our hope on Obama nor all our blame on Israel. The people of Palestine need our sustained support and Israel needs to discover that the international community will not let it away with genocide no matter what its history. In support of that cause, this year we are organising a Sea of Solidarity with the Palestinian people, A thousand Palestinian flags will be carried on the march. Meanwhile this year's Memorial Lecture will be delivered by Clive Stafford Smith of Reprieve, the lawyer and human rights defender who represents British Muslim internees in Guantanamo. He is in a unique position to comment on the likelihood of the US President being able to fulfil his pledge to close the camp and what is likely to happen to its remaining internees. Meanwhile in the local context Internment an Injustice 40 years on will explore the use of internment here. Towards a Raytheon-Free Derry? invites all the sides of the discussion on the presence of Raytheon in our city to a forum discussion on the issue. Who Owns Ireland's Resources? explores the issues at the heart of the Shell to Sea conflict in Rossport. In relation to all the other injustices that comprise the conflict we are hopefull emerging out of, Friday night’s event at the City Hotel, Dealing with the Past: Did Bradley/Eames get it right? will be the first time the public have a chance to critically evaluate and respond to their recommendations. In addition there are exhibitions, films and panel discussions. ‘Their epitaph is the ongoing stuggle for democracy’, so read the programme, come to events, join in the debate! Click here to return to Programme of Events
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