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The Ulster Unionist Party tabled a 30-page document at today’s Preparation for Government Committee on Equality issues.  It related primarily as to whether or not there is fairness in the employment market.

Dermot Nesbitt said after the meeting that “this was an opportunity to examine some of the issues. Too often we have been told by Sinn Fein that there is employer discrimination against the Catholic community and that Catholics are more likely to be unemployed.”

He continued: “We put forward the evidence that I believe refutes the Sinn Fein argument. Indeed the evidence points to the Protestant community losing out in the jobs market. I offered to meet with any of the parties to discuss further these issues. Unionism has nothing to hide from and should be confident of its arguments.”

Dermot Nesbitt concluded: “The Committee agreed that all interested parties, including Government, should be fully committed to addressing the issues of equality. I readily agreed, but only on the basis of clear evidence and not on emotional arguments that too often feature in the debate. My question to Government is simple- when is it going to show commitment to address the concerns of the community and present clear and simple information to the public. To date all that I have received from Government is silence or waffle. I meet yet again Minister Hanson in 10 days to consider what Government should do.”

Dermot Nesbitt has responded to the criticism by Arlene Foster (DUP) of the UUP’s position after the Preparation for Government Committee meeting on Friday.

Dermot Nesbitt, who also attended the Committee meeting last Friday, said: “The DUP is completely wrong when it criticised the UUP for ignoring the issues of rights and equality. I am happy to stand by the record of the party’s contribution to these issues both during the talks in 1996-98 and since. Of course there is always room for improvement but it is unacceptable for the DUP to criticise our efforts when the DUP at the time left the field of debate at the height of the negotiations leading up to the Belfast Agreement.”

He continued: “It is starkly ironic for the DUP not to have participated then in the talks because of the presence of the Sinn Fein yet at the meeting on Friday concerning the future governance of Northern Ireland not only was Sinn Fein present but it also chaired the meeting.”

Dermot Nesbitt concluded: “Arlene Foster would make a greater contribution to the future stability of Northern Ireland were she to stop making cheap inaccurate political points against my party and concentrate her efforts on exposing the false arguments of those who are opposed to unionism. For example, Peter Hain said last week that nothing will be done outside the terms of the Belfast Agreement. That is absolutely untrue and needs to be exposed. I state categorically that if the UK Government was to act in accordance with the Belfast Agreement Northern Ireland’s position within the UK would be secure, in comparison with the present position adopted by Government. Equality and human rights are vitally important to the future governance of Northern Ireland and Arlene Foster should act accordingly.”

Commenting after political representatives of the UDA had met the Irish Prime Minister, Bertie Ahern, Dermot Nesbitt said that none should be fooled by the honeyed words of Bertie Ahern.

Dermot Nesbitt said: “When Mr Ahern states that there will be no joint authority this is not new – this has always been the legal position. What he does not refer to is the undue interference in the affairs of Northern Ireland that will be strengthened in the event of devolution not returning.”

Dermot Nesbitt continued: “To make matters worse, Tony Blair has repudiated a central element of agreed North/South relations. Mr Blair has now formally rejected that North/South co-operation is to be on the basis of benefit to both communities and by agreement of both communities. He views such co-operation now as for the sole purpose of giving expression to the aspiration of nationalists for Irish Unity: an Irish Republican’s charter for continued political instability. This new position of Mr Blair not only rejects The Agreement but is a rejection of the UK Government’s commitments under international law.”

Mr. Nesbitt concluded: “If Mr Ahern has given an assurance yesterday to the UDA political representatives that there is only one agreement and that there will be no imposition of a further agreement, then Mr Ahern should check this against the position now adopted by the UK Government. My advice to all, do not be fooled by the honeyed words of Mr Ahern, reality tells a different story. The Ulster Unionist Party is clear: we wish the same standards of democracy as apply elsewhere in the democratic world and to date this has not been demonstrated either by the words or actions of both Tony Blair and Bertie Ahern.”

Senior Ulster Unionist Dermot Nesbitt today called for clarity from the DUP over the Comprehensive Agreement as Deputy Leader Peter Robinson stated in the Assembly that he did not agree with many parts of it.

This is against Ian Paisley’s stated position at the time that it had all been agreed apart from the modalities of decommissioning.

In a statement Mr Nesbitt said,

“I questioned Mr Robinson in the Assembly and in a surprise admission he stated there are many parts of the Comprehensive Agreement that the DUP did not agree with. This is at odds with the party’s previous position as articulated by Ian Paisley who emerged from Downing Street in December 2004 announcing that all had been agreed bar the modalities of decommissioning.

This is yet another shift on the part of the DUP. I am calling for a definitive statement from the DUP on the Comprehensive Agreement and what elements of it they disagree with. The public have a right to know what is being negotiated on their behalf. Peter Robinson had an opportunity to respond in the Assembly and did not clarify the position.”

setting out what it must do to ensure democratic principles laid down by the international community are maintained – and so steer away from implied support for the republican agenda over the restoration of devolution.

The South Down MLA’s ‘Work Plan for Government’ will parallel the work plan that the two Governments announced last week for Northern Ireland’s political parties.

In a statement, the South Down MLA said: “It was clear to anyone who saw the Prime Ministers’ press conference last week that they seem to believe it is unionism which is required to act – otherwise the opportunity for devolution is lost for a generation.

“This position masks undiluted support by both Prime Ministers for the Republican agenda and ignores the mandates of Unionists – which is completely anathema to a modern, pluralist democratic society.”

He added: “Our challenge to the UK Government is simple. You have set the politicians of Northern Ireland a ‘Work Plan’ over the coming months; when are you as a Government going to carry out your own ‘Work Plan’ to ensure that we have the same democratic values that all others in Europe enjoy?

“For Government not to accept the benchmark of international standards for the way forward will be to deny us hopes of political stability in the long term.”

Mr Nesbitt concluded: “The Government has a choice: it can show, as it presently does, a willingness to accommodate the demands of Sinn Fein; or it can follow democratic principles laid down by the international community, and accepted elsewhere.

“The meeting with David Hanson is simply trying to ensure that the Government follows the norms for governance accepted elsewhere and not the outdated narrow-minded policies of Sinn Fein.

“The people in Northern Ireland seek no more than democratic values and fairness that everyone else in Europe has as of right.”

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.”

The UUP has made a written submission to the Council of Europe concerning the handling of the political process in Northern Ireland by both the Irish and UK Governments. Dermot Nesbitt, the Ulster Unionist Party’s human rights spokesperson, was particularly critical of the UK Government.

Dermot Nesbitt said: “The UK Government is acting in total disregard of its international commitments to all residents living in Northern Ireland. It is required to forward information to the Council of Europe on, for example, how it is addressing problems in Northern Ireland like identity and method of government, but it has singularly failed to fulfil this legal obligation.”

He continued: “Of the thirty five European countries required to forward such information, only two are worse than the UK in not meeting the deadline for submission. It comes as no surprise that it is John Reid’s Home Office Department that is meant to do this work. Is this another example, to quote John Reid, of his Department not being fit for purpose? To be two years overdue in complying with a requirement is unacceptable.”

Dermot Nesbitt concluded: “I call upon the Secretary of State, Peter Hain, to clarify as to when the UK Government is going to be accountable for its action, or inaction, with respect to Northern Ireland? This attitude, coming from a Government that champions the role of such bodies as the Council of Europe, smacks of pure hypocrisy. I reiterate the long-held position of the UUP: we seek no more than democratic values and fairness that everyone else in Europe has as of right. This case is both reasonable and justified.”

Dermot Nesbitt, the Ulster Unionist Party’s human rights spokesperson, met this week with the Geneva-based International Panel of Jurists who were on a three-day visit to Northern Ireland. The visiting panel’s remit was ‘Terrorism, Counter Terrorism and Human Rights’ and it was headed by Justice Arthur Chaskalson, former Chief Justice of South Africa.

The UUP was the only political party to submit to the Panel in advance a written submission and Dermot Nesbitt was the only Northern Ireland politician to have had a one-to-one meeting with the Panel.

Dermot Nesbitt said: “It was an opportunity to put the Unionist case to an international group of lawyers whose aim is the protection of international human rights. The point must be constantly repeated: both the Irish and British Governments have been, and remain, in breach of international human rights. This is a direct result of their response to terrorism.”

He continued: “For 31 of the last 34 years Northern Ireland has been denied real and effective participation in the decision-making that affects every citizen. This is a denial of a basic human right. Lasting peace and stability in Northern Ireland will be founded on adherence to the fundamental principles of democracy and human rights. The Government, and others, have for a long period refused to abide by such principles. It is clear, at an international level that the best - if not only - hope of peace and political stability, is to be found in respecting the territorial integrity of existing States, and offering maximum guarantees - internationally defined - to all people within them.”

Dermot Nesbitt concluded: The United Kingdom and Irish Governments have today a choice: they can show, as they presently do, a willingness to accommodate the demands of aggressive republicanism in Ireland or they can follow the principles laid down by the international community. Prime Minister Blair stated this month, in his Armagh address, that he wanted to ‘go forward on the basis of a mature democracy’ having learnt lessons about ‘conflict resolution.’ Unfortunately the reality of his proposals is far removed from these sentiments and this inconsistency must be constantly exposed.”

At the request of the party Leader, Senior Ulster Unionist Dermot Nesbitt is to spearhead a party strategy to confront the recent Blair and Ahern Statement about the way forward for Northern Ireland

Fundamentally, the UUP sees the Prime Ministers’ statement as a breach of their commitments to all residents living in Northern Ireland.

Mr Nesbitt said: “Put simply, the aspect of treating nationalist/republican aspirations for a united Ireland as equal to the unionist position is a crime against international law and without precedent. For example, that the Republican aspiration must be given recognition by way of a “step change” to the North/South dimension is simply unlawful. Yet both Prime Ministers present an image of reason and tolerance, but mask an undiluted support for the Republican agenda; an agenda that is an anathema in a modern democracy.”

He continued: “And this coming from two Prime Ministers who on the international stage champion the ideals of a modern democracy yet deny the same ideals to people in Northern Ireland. It smacks of pure hypocrisy. Yet we seek no more than democratic values and fairness that everyone else in Europe has as of right. Our case is correct, reasonable and justified.

Dermot Nesbitt concluded: “Over the coming months the two governments’ position must be exposed: it cannot go unchallenged. The case will be put at both home and international level, that the rights of United Kingdom citizens are being denied in Northern Ireland. The task is extremely difficult - the governments have the power while citizens’ power is weak. Only by a process of exposure and possible embarrassment is there any chance of success – such is the power of government today. To not succeed will be to deny political stability to Northern Ireland that others throughout the democratic world enjoy.”

Elected representatives from Northern Ireland participating in the Dail may, to some, be of little consequence. However, I see it as an important litmus test of the Irish Government’s view of good neighbourliness towards Northern Ireland. Frankly, their utterances to date are unwelcome.

Such is the nature of the UUP’s fundamental opposition to Mr Ahern’s proposals, notwithstanding welcoming comments from the DUP and bluster from Sinn Fein.