Peoples Democracy WHEN THE case of the fourteen year old rape victim hit the headlines in February, the establishment political parties, particularly the women TDs (Irish MPs), made a lot of concerned noises.
Now that the dust has settled, all are prepared to ask for a YES vote in the inish reterendum on the Maastricht Treaty on 18 June. This is despite the Fo protocol that protects and copper-fastens the oth Amendment the constitutional article Which caused the internment of the fourteen year old and which Pronous doorton wormanor! and counselling.
Along with the bourgeois parties, practically every other organisation has shied away from expressing clear opposi tion to the protocol.
Most disgracefully, the Conpress or lidde Unions, the tie the Irish Labour Party, and the Status of Women, have all called for a YES vote to Maastricht This is seen by many as clear evidence that the co-option and incorporation of the leaderships or organisations repre senting the oppressed has been completed.
The Repeal the 8th Amendment Campaign has been left to fight on its own. With mea gre resour ces, the campaign now has no back up from those we would expect to support us, such as women's committees in the The far-left is probably the single biggest force within the ly showered themselves with glory.
They have been in and out of the campaign, depending on the strike level, and have complained from the sidelines about 'indecisive leadership'. This is despite it being within their power to carry through the clear and unambiguous campaign policies - REPÉAL of the 8th amendment. NO to the protocol, NO to Maastricht. Instead they have run off on 3 a tangent, confronting SPUC in a most provocative way - including harassing and attempt. ing to block a demonstration of the anti-abortion forces. though organised by the Socialist Workers Movement sister organisation of the SWPthe stunt rebounded on the campaign.
Despite the setbacks though, there have been a number of very successful campaign activities. Packed meetings have taken place in Dublin and other areas.
On 6 May, over 150 women took part a symbolic solidarity trip, from Dublin to Holyhead, to highlight the large number of Irish women who Collapse of Soviet Union finished Najibullah and minority Tajiks. This forms an essential backdrop to today's situation.
But also, Afghanistan's industry is tiny. In 1978, the industrial workforce was estimated at 40,000 - one in every five hundred of the population.
So the PDIA's bid for power wasn't doomed from the start -that came with Soviet domination - but its tiny social base of urban workers and intellectuals meant that it was precarious, to
PIANNE REUM
travel to Britain for abortions every week. They were met by women from the Irish Women's Abortion Support Group in Britain, and the event received wide media coverage.
Regardless of the outcome of the Maastricht referendum, the real struggle over abortion JABORTION CLINIC rights will come when the poll is over. The Church and Fianna Fail can be expected to mobilise fully against any liberalising of Ireland's anti-women laws.
Support and donations can be sent to: Repeal the 8th Amendment Campaign, PO Box 3441, Dublin 8, Eire.