EIRIGI activists have claimed that police conducting stop and searches in Newry without any real suspicion of terrorist activity have increased.
The comment came as two activists from the Irish socialist republican political party were reportedly stopped by police on the Armagh Road on Sunday, July 18.
Both activists and the vehicle were searched and they were quizzed about their movements in what an Eirigi spokesman described as a humiliating ordeal in front of other motorists and pedestrians.
The searches were conducted under section 21 and 24 of anti-terrorism legislation instead of the now-redundant section 44.
However, Eirígí remains concerned over the apparent increase of police attention to the party.
“Eirígí activists in Newry are no strangers to Crown force harassment, there has been a noticeable upsurge in harassment of our members and supporters in the area,” a spokesman said.
“In recent times they have been harassed whilst delivering leaflets, just last month an activist’s home in the Derrybeg estate was targeted in a dawn raid which extended into a search operation of the estate itself which lasted the whole day, and now our activists are being stopped under the draconian British Justice and Security Act.
“It’s clear that our activists and supporters in the area are being singled out for special treatment because of their political activities.”
When contacted about the claims, a police spokesman said that anyone with a complaint about policing should contact the Police Ombudsman.
Details about the individual incident on the Armagh Road were unavailable, say the police, due to time constraints.
However, police say it may have occurred at a vehicle checkpoint set up to “detect and prevent crime”.
Meanwhile, the party remains unconvinced that the Northern Ireland’s police force has changed.
“The PSNI are only proving by their own actions that they are an unchanged, unaccountable paramilitary force,” he said.
“The PSNI remains a British police force, enforcing British law in support of the British justice system.
“Eirígí understands there can be no meaningful reform of British policing in Ireland, just as there can be no meaningful reform of policing within the capitalist, 26-county state.”
However, the party says it will continue with its manifesto.
“Our comrades in Newry will continue with their activities and harassment from the PSNI will only strengthen their determination to continue to work towards a socialist republic,” the spokesman said.