Senior Orangemen, led by Grand Master Robert Saulters, this
afternoon met Northern Ireland Security Minister Ian Pearson
to express their concerns at reports that the legal powers
of the Parades Commission are to be extended to include followers
and supporters of Orange Order parades.
The proposed new powers follow a fatally flawed report requested
by the Policing Board (and presently being analysed by a leading
human rights organisation), following the violence orchestrated
and carried out by republicans in Ardoyne area of North Belfast
last year. According to the police one person from outside
the Ardoyne area has since been charged with offences arising
out of the violence, while 21 others were arrested and reported
to the Director of Public Prosecutions.
Commenting on this afternoon's meeting, a spokesman for the
Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland said: "These new legal
powers are designed to turn the 'No Parades' Commission into
the 'No Prods' Commission.
"Although it's clear to everyone that neither the Orange
Order nor its followers and supporters can be held in any
way responsible for the acts of violence committed by nationalists,
it has been suggested that this new legislation would apply
to all followers and supporters of the Orange Order throughout
Northern Ireland.
"We made it clear to Mr Pearson that these proposed new
powers can only be perceived as a further attempt to discriminate
against the law-abiding Protestant people of Northern Ireland
as a whole, and will encourage and reward those who use violence
to destroy the democratic rights of others and undermine democracy.
"We have warned the Minister of our fears that this
will inevitably lead to widespread, legitimate opposition
by those who see the proposed legislation as a further attack
upon their rights as enjoyed by all other United Kingdom citizens.
"Consequently, we have urged Mr. Pearson to immediately
reconsider the reported proposals. Instead of extending the
Parades Commission's powers, the Government should be getting
rid of it altogether.
|
