Student Broad Left
Students and the Peace Process in Ireland
CAMPAIGNING FOR PEACE AND EQUALITY IN IRELAND
Background and Introduction
Over 2,500 people have been killed during the conflict in the North of Ireland. The daily
harassment and violence against nationalist communities has intensified recently during the
marching season, where over 83 catholic families were made homeless due to fire and pipe bomb
attacks. Attempts were also made to shoot dead catholics in West Belfast. Throughout, the RUC
has failed to intervene and defend nationalist communities, highlighting the need for a new
police service in Northern Ireland as recommended by the Patten report (commissioned as part of
the Good Friday Agreement). The RUC has been condemned by the UN for human rights abuses and
the concerns over collusion with loyalist paramilitaries in the murders of nationalists including
the human rights lawyer Rosemary Nelson (whom members of BL were privileged to meet, to discuss
how students could assist in supporting the peace process). Sinn Fein, SLDP, Alliance, the
Women's Coalition, the PUP and the Irish Government have all opposed the Policing Bill which has
just been passed in Parliament as it fails to meet the requirements of the Good Friday Agreement,
which calls for a new beginning to policing.
The peace process will only work if the Good Friday Agreement is implemented in full.
Each aspect of the Agreement - the equalities agenda, a new police service - represent political
resolutions to causes of conflict, e.g., inequality in housing, employment, etc, a sectarian
police force.
From our autumn newsletter: Peace needs new policing
Broad Left's Aims and objectives
Broad Left's NEC Report 30.6.2000
Education Funding
Fighting Racism
Students and the Peace Movement
Environment and Ethics
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