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04 November 2008

The Community Relations Council congratulated all those who acted to ensure that both the parade and protest on Sunday were largely peaceful and called on the government to publish its policy and strategy for good relations as a matter of urgency.

Chief Executive Duncan Morrow said

‘While Sunday’s parade and protest passed off without serious incident, the event showed that our historic divisions still have the power to mobilise powerful emotions and threaten real violence.  While much has moved on, this is still a divided society with a fragile peace. 

Although devolved government has now been in place for 18 months, we are still waiting for delivery on the executive’s commitment to building a shared and better future and tackling the roots of sectarianism and racism.  A new policy to refresh the existing Shared Future policy has been repeatedly promised to the Assembly, most recently before Halloween, but without result. 

Under devolution, people naturally look to their elected politicians to lead the way to a shared and better future.  But in the absence of a clear policy and strategy the vacuum is always filled by those seeking to exploit division.  It is now time for the executive to decide on its priorities and deliver on its commitments.  We can no longer afford any further delays.’

For further information

Contact Ray Mullan 028 90 227500

Email: rmullan@nicrc.org.uk