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15 July 2009

Duncan Morrow, Chief Executive of the Community Relations Council, says: ‘There is a horrible sense of déjà vu about all these events.  But one thing we should know: Differences about parades cannot be resolved through violence.  The evidence that violence around these issues deepens polarisation and prevents progress is evident from our history. 

Duncan Morrow, Chief Executive of the Community Relations Council, says:

‘There is a horrible sense of déjà vu about all these events.  But one thing we should know: Differences about parades cannot be resolved through violence.  The evidence that violence around these issues deepens polarisation and prevents progress is evident from our history. 

In recent years, huge efforts have gone in to managing contentious parades, through dialogue, local agreements and on-the-ground stewarding.  But local solutions without clear principles rely too heavily on fragile local relationships and control to be sustained in the long run, as we have seen today.

The failure to find an agreed basis to regulate public assemblies in a manner which upholds the human rights of everyone leaves vulnerable flashpoint areas as thee scene of renewed sectarian violence, leads to serious attacks on the police and puts increased pressure on political leaders.  Those elements intent on creating polarisation use this failure to agree around parades to create mayhem and spread fear, with implications for us all.

Today’s disturbances suggest that it is time to find lasting solutions to these disputes along with all the other outstanding disagreements around culture, rights and law and order which threaten our peace. 

But it should be our aim that there will not be another marching season without real progress on these matters.  This will require a willingness to accommodate differences, an end any hint of sectarian hatred or hostility in parades or protests and robust support for the rule of law.’    Above all it will take real political effort and leadership and a willingness to tackle the remaining areas of disagreement with courage.’

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