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Anti-internment parade organisers to take legal action

A banned anti-internment parade passed off peacefully at the weekend
A banned anti-internment parade passed off peacefully at the weekend A banned anti-internment parade passed off peacefully at the weekend

The organisers of a banned anti-internment parade say they will take legal action against the Parades Commission.

The march was stopped from entering Belfast city centre on Sunday by the PSNI after it was banned from the area by the Parades Commission.

Oraganised by the Anti-Internment League, the parade was arranged to highlight the 45th anniversary of internment and highlight claims by republicans that people are being interned by remand in recent times.

The organisers believe the refusal to allow the parade into Belfast city centre breached their Article 11 rights under the European Court of Human Rights which protects the right to freedom of assembly and association.

The commission had ruled it was allowed to travel from Andersonstown to the Falls Road but ordered it to halt at the junction of Barrack Street and Divis Street.

A large security operation was put to stop the march which dispersed shortly after speeches were held at police lines at Divis Street.

Police left the area a short time later.

Organisers had intended to take legal action over the Parades Commission decision last week but were refused legal aid.

Solicitor for the Anti-internment League, Michael Brentnall, last night said a civil case may now be taken.

"As a result of the refusal of access to the court and an effective remedy before Sunday’s march our client has instructed that we commence a civil action against the parades commission on the basis that the decision by the PC to restrict the march from Belfast City centre was entirely disproportionate,” he said.

A spokesman for the Parades Commission said: “It would be inappropriate to comment at this stage.”