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13 July 2010

The last few days have seen the return of serious street rioting, including the firing of shots and baton rounds, and the use of petrol bombs in a number of places across Northern Ireland.  Parades and protests continue to create real tensions which must now be addressed for the long term.  CRC is convinced that the wider public has no appetite for a return to this sort of violence, and urges all those involved to stop before they set us down a path which we will all regret.

 

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

"Our thoughts are with all those affected by violence, particularly those directly
injured and their families.  We are also thinking of all those living in fear
as a result of these disturbances. 

Further violence has no purpose except to take us back into direct
confrontation.  Violence around parades and protests is not new, but it is
deeply damaging and without any serious constructive purpose.  It undermines the
goodwill that has been so painfully built up over many years and it leaves deep
scars in local communities.  Above all, it undermines the economic future of
people across Northern Ireland.  It is vitally important that we build a new
culture of real tolerance and openness, in which the celebrations of some are
not interpreted as the triumphalism over others and in which tolerance and
generosity are the dominant themes. 

Sectarianism and division remain deep and lasting issues here.  We should not be
diverted from the clear requirement to bring final closure to the disputes which
divide us.  Parading and protests are but the most obvious issues.  But for
serious progress to be made on these issues we need a deeper determination to
tackle sectarianism and build a shared and better future together.  The
alternative is cannot be contemplated. "
 
For further information contact
Patricia O’Neill 90-227500