UUP to confront British and Irish Governments on failures to Citizens of Northern Ireland and makes Formal Submission to the Council of Europe
The UUP has made a formal submission to the Council of Europe which challenges both Governments on their shortcomings towards the people of Northern Ireland.
Party Leader Sir Reg Empey and Dermot Nesbitt will be raising the issue when they meet both Prime Ministers on Thursday. A copy of the submission has already been forwarded to Peter Hain and Dermot Ahern in preparation for Thursday’s meeting.
UUP Equality and Human Rights spokesman Dermot Nesbitt, who made the formal submission to the Council of Europe’s Advisory Committee, says it calls into question the Governments implementation of its human right commitments. Speaking today Mr Nesbitt said,
“We are making clear our deep concern at the attitude of not only the UK government but also of the Irish Government in their handling of the situation in Northern Ireland.
The Government views rights and equality as important for a peaceful and stable Northern Ireland. Well, what of the Government’s record? It has a legal obligation to inform the Council of Europe how it is dealing with these issues. That the Government is now over two years late in fulfilling this obligation is appalling. We say simply to Government; do not come and lecture us about deadlines when it is you who are in major default.
Our question to the Prime Minister is simple, why the delay? Of the 35 countries in Europe required to make a submission to the Council of Europe there is only one – Cyprus - in a worse position than the UK. Such is the bad faith of the UK Government towards the people of Northern Ireland.
We call on political parties and, in particular, human rights organisations in Northern Ireland to make clear their dismay at this lack of accountability by the Government to its international commitments on human rights.
We call upon the UK Government to not proceed with its Plan B without clarity on how the Government plans to fulfil its international human rights commitments to all in Northern Ireland. To do otherwise is a derogation of its duty to those living in Northern Ireland.
We have been informed by the Council of Europe that a start to monitoring the UK’s implementation of its human right commitments is imminent. This is a clear challenge to Government to stop delaying. We will be expecting initial comment to our challenge when we meet the PM later this week.
We call on the Irish Government to make clear its position as a neighbouring State in regards to fulfilling international human rights standards.
These issues are fundamental to a stable and peaceful society: effective participation by local elected representative; rationale for North-South co-operation; citizens rights and individual choice; and good neighbourly relations between States. There are standards on these matters that both the Irish and UK Governments are obliged to adhere to. To date neither Government is fulfilling its commitments. No wonder the UK Government delays in being accountable to international scrutiny.
I make it clear that the meeting with both Prime Ministers is not a simple skirmish or seeking a slick sound-bite for party political purposes. It is a serious strategic challenge to Government coupled with a sense of clear purpose. We will continue to monitor and challenge both Governments in regards to their lack of adherence to international human rights standards.”