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22 June 2011

The Community Relations Council (CRC) calls for an urgent halt to all rioting and violence in Short Strand and the Lower Newtownards Road and called for political and community leaders to distance themselves from all those who would draw them into conflict.

Duncan Morrow, CRC Chief Executive, said: 

“Whether these events are a matter of real or legitimate grievance,  this is much more a case of violence exploiting and creating sectarian divides in a bid to create tension and intimidate and control communities.  Children and older people are being put in the front line of violence and there is a real potential for death alongside disastrous destruction.  Anyone who believes that they can solve problems of alienation or poverty by rioting and mayhem is catastrophically deluded.  This can only cause misery and the death of any hopes that we can create a serious and sustainable economy here.

 “Millions of pounds have been directed at organisations engaged with paramilitaries, all of which is intended to underpin ceasefires and support democracy.  We have all signed up to purely political means to resolve disputes.  It is vital that we make clear that this is not a pious hope but an absolute determination to defend democracy.  Politicians, police and Community leaders seeking to stop violence must be supported without ambivalence.  If there are any real issues, then it is for the political institutions to find solutions.

“In the longer term, these events underline the requirement that the excuses provided by sectarianism for rioting and violence must now be tackled head on if we are to isolate this kind of behaviour and remove any ongoing excuse for community control.

“CRC has been actively engaged with community groups to establish what further steps are required to support a positive resolution in this situation.”

For further information contact

Ray Mullan, 02890 227500 email rmullan@nicrc.org.uk