Rory Hearne (above) is a 21-year-old Geography graduate from TCD who is currently President of the College s Student Union. He was among delegates sent to Prague in the Czech Republic to protest peacefully on the streets of the city during meetings of the World Bank/International Monetary Fund. The protestors object to the policies of the banking bodies that oblige Third World nations to annually repay debts that in many cases greatly exceed what these countries can realistically expect to earn through exports or other means. Although G8, the IMF and the World Bank have promised to address the question of debt relief, so far no action has been taken. The forced repayment of these debts has meant the slashing of public spending with the result that, in a country like Tanzania in East Africa, debt repayments are six times higher than annual spending on health. Protestors believe that the time has now come to cancel such debts.
Hearne has been active in student politics since his entry to TCD in 1995, addressing such issues as student rights, racism and world debt. A native of Tramore in Co. Waterford, he was elected President of TCDSU in1999, and travelled to Prague with a delegation from Ireland.
Myself and Joe Davitt of TCDSU joined approximately 20,000 protestors from all over the world in Prague, explains Rory. We did not come to throw Molotov cocktails or trash burger-bars, but to assert a peaceful right to protest. The protest was initially well stewarded and disciplined. Due to the powerful influence of the World Bank, however, we found our line of march flanked by barricades and legions of Czech riot police, looking like Robocop style storm-troopers; in my view, a total over-reaction to the type of protest that was occurring. As we danced, threw balloons in the air and chanted, the riot police commenced firing with tear-gas, percussion grenades and water cannon. It seemed to me to be a deliberate attempt to instil panic in a previously organised, peaceful crowd. Having retired to Vaclavkse Square, we were again confronted by riot police, who baton charged the crowd and fired missiles. Interviewed at this time by an RTE journalist, I was surprised that the media emphasis seemed to be on the violence, which was in my view initiated by the police. As we attempted to escape we were trapped in a side street by police, who began to make indiscriminate arrests. It was at this time, separated from my companions and frankly panicked by the screaming thrashing police, I was arrested.
Hearne alleges that upon his arrest his head was smashed against a wall as plastic ties were used to handcuff his hands behind his back. His legs were kicked apart and he was subjected to a rough body search. He was manhandled into a waiting police van before being driven to a detention centre, where he was confined to a small cell with about seven others.
In the police cell we were made to stand at attention for four or five hours while Czech police, armed and still in body armour assaulted anyone who flagged or started to fall asleep. We were separated from the Czech nationals among our group who I later heard had suffered even rougher treatment. Consequently we had no way of understanding the instructions of our screaming guards. It turned out that they were asking us to sign a statement, presumably a confession, which we all refused to do. At no time were we offered a phone call or any other basic rights of detained persons. After about six hours we were given the opportunity to purchase food.
Shortly after, myself and my companions were transferred to an immigration prison. Here the staff were reminiscent of Nazi storm troopers, in black uniforms and skinheads, again screaming and arbitrarily punching and kicking prisoners for no discernible reason. I would guess that these men were experienced torturers, as they were careful to direct blows to the head with the flat of their hands only, being careful not to leave a noticeable bruise. Blows to the body were aimed at the sides of the torso, which were extremely painful but left little bruising. For a time we were lined up in a freezing, grey stone exercise yard, again tormented by guards. Perhaps the worst outrage happened at this point; as we were led upstairs and strip-searched, after which I was fingerprinted and photographed. I still refused to sign a statement. A Honduran interpreter explained we were being asked to confess that we were a danger to the IMF/World Bank. At this point I confess I was disorientated and terrified. I had been in custody, without sleep, for over thirty hours.
Some six hours later Hearne was told that he was to be released on condition that he leave the Czech Republic within 24 hours. After calling to the Irish Embassy in Prague to relate his experience he returned home. Upon his return he met other Irish protestors who had similar stories to relate. Hearne confirms that some of these people have difficulty sleeping since the ordeal and several suffer from depression and nervousness. He himself wryly confesses to be now slightly unnerved by the sound of jangling keys. He remains fully committed to the idea of peaceful protest, and maintains his sojourn in the Czech Republic has strengthened his resolve in the fight against injustice.
Speaking on behalf of the Embassy of the Czech Republic in Dublin, spokesman Miroslav Kolatek stated that Czech law permits the detention of persons for up to forty-eight hours, and suggested that any formal complaint should be addressed to the Irish Embassy in Prague.