UUP Parades Spokesman contrasts relaxed Southern attitude to Dublin Demo with past Parades Commission paranoia
UUP Parades Spokesman Michael Copeland has welcomed assurances given during a meeting with Garda Assistant Commissioner Al McHugh regarding the forthcoming demonstration by Northern Ireland based victims groups, scheduled to take place in Dublin in later February.
The determination exhibited by the southern authorities and their willingness to facilitate this event, stands in stark contrast to the situation which has existed in Northern Ireland for several years. The UUP continues to believe in the inherent freedom to parade and the right to hold peaceful counter-demonstrations.
In a statement Mr Copeland said,
“All right thinking people in this democracy must look forward to the day when we, as a society, recognise that those who call for restrictions to be placed upon the rights of assembly and freedom of expression of others are in fact challenging their own freedoms.
The willingness of the southern authorities to facilitate and work with victims groups who feel compelled to take their protest to Dublin stands in stark contrast with the attitude displayed by the previous Parades Commission, whom, at the slightest whiff of counter protest felt the need to curtail or issue draconian determinations, thereby elevating the rights of one section of society above another.
I am seeking a meeting with the southern authorities to examine the mechanisms adopted in reaching their decision regarding the Dublin demonstration in the hope that the lessons learned can be communicated to the new Parades Commission, whose duty must be to place equal emphasis on the freedoms, rights and privileges of citizenship of all sections of the community in Northern Ireland.”