Poland: repression continues

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THE Polish Parliament today revoked martial law. At the same time, it adopted a series of constitutional amendments and a law giving the government special transitional powers until 1985. In view of these developments, the Coordinating Office Abroad of NSZZ 'Solidarnosc' , reiterating the position of the Temporary Coordinating Commission 1. (TKK) and the leader of our Union, Lech Walesa, emphatically declares that the lifting of martial law on July 22 1983 in no way restores the legal framework prevailing between September 1980 and December 1981.

NSZZ 'Solidarnosc' and other trade unions remain outside the law even though they are still considered by the majority of Poles to be the only representatives and defenders of workers' rights.

All the repressive measures directed at creative arts associations introduced during martial law remain intact, whereas the powers with which the state administration is now endowed eliminate what little autonomy was enjoyed by these associations and by centres of higher learning.

The law on "social parasitism"" remains in effect. Because of the state's monopoly over employment, this law makes it possible to use its shameful provisions against persons blacklisted because of their union activity and political views.

Permanent restric ions: on workers" rights * he re been introduced, preventive censor: ship of the press, of publishing activities and of entertainment has been tightened, the powers of the political. and security services have been significantly strengthened.

We welcome with joy the release of any political prisoner. It must be noted however, that the lifting of martial law is not accompanied by the anticipated general amnesty. The announced amnesty does not apply to the activists of the Confederation for an Independent Poland (KPN), the former Workers' Defence Committee (KOR), or the leaders and activists ed by the Solidarnosc Trade signatures from British trade peace, freedom and human and workers' rights as we do. They should be immediately released, since the charge against thém - that they attempted to overthrow the Polish political system by force - is plainly untrue. They cannot be held responsible for the crisis that Poland has reached.

The sentencing of these individuals would strike a major blow against any international process of healing and reconciliation. It would be seized on by the most reactionary elements in our own society to justity their own retrogressive social and Cold War policies.

Co-existence between states in conditions of isolation, estrangement and mistrust cannot be stable. As fellow Europeans, we appeal to you not to proceed with the prosecution of these individuals, pur fellow human beings. NSZZ 'Solidarnose' who are arbitrarily designated as "extremists" by the authorities.

The Coordinating Office Abroad of NSZZ 'Solidarnosc' once again brings to the attention of governments and banks, Poland's creditors, that the fundamental socio-political conditions needed for genuine economic reform have not been set in motion. Therefore, unconditional loans to Poland cannot bring about positive economic results but will only increase the burden on' society of repaying the country's debts, even though society is not responsible for them.

This Office also asserts that the consolidation and reinforcement of emergency legislation negates claims of "normalisation" by the official propaganda.

Society's resistance has not been broken. The struggle for the release of all political prisoners, for the restoration of trade union rights and for the fulfillment of the Gdansk Agreement goes on, and will continue in the future.

The Office appeals to the free trade union movement and to public opinion in all democratic countries to continue supporting politically and materially, authentic trade unions and independent organisations in Brussels, 22 July 1983 Co-ordinating Office Abroad of NSZZ Solidarnosc Reprinted from 'Voice of solid: of Ireland is making some headway in the labour movement.

The picture we saw in Northern Ireland was indeed grim and horrifying. Armed soldiers and RUC patrols to repress the nationalist community, acts of murder by the British army and security forces - it is these that have forced the nationalist community to look to something more aggressive than the 'Constitutional" methods of the SDLP and produce the massively increased Sinn Fein vote in the recent elections.

The British army's idea of 'keeping the peace" is to repress the nationalist community.

The Springhill Community Centre in Ballymurphy where we were entertained is surrounareas that we travelled through.

I spoke to Peggy, an elderl woman, in the Divis Flats, nea the city centre who said she fel sorry for a lot of the youn British soldiers but that the were just used by these pigs i the RUCto do their dirty work.

Young or old the attitude wa the same.

Steven, a fourteen year ol was building a bonfire alon with his friends to mark th anniversary of internment. H told me that this was the fourt time this week. I asked w 'Because the Brits come roun in their Saracens and knock down." • Why didn't they just wa till Monday and built it thei 'Because then the Brits wou think they'd won."

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