The Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland has warned that Protestants,
particularly those associated with the Orange Institution,
often feel intimidated and undervalued in relation to their
culture.
And in a submission to the Northern Ireland Human Rights
Commission, the Grand Lodge said that there was a danger that
many people would socially exclude themselves from wider activities
due to their perception that their culture was not respected.
Orangemen claim that there are some people in positions of
influence in society who feel that the Order should be isolated.
"The roots of this situation lie in the inability of
some of those in positions of power and authority to be able
to recognise or respect diversity and each individual's right
to self-expression of their own cultural identity," the
Grand Secretary, Drew Nelson said.
"People of the Protestant tradition, especially those
who have an association with the Orange Institution, often
find that many barriers exist for them as they seek to explore
their cultural identity and their relationship to it.
"They often feel threatened if they mention anything
that associates them with the Orange tradition. As they attend
their schools, community, voluntary and sporting clubs on
a weekly basis, many young people feel unable to express their
cultural identity as they may be laughed at or indeed may
be excluded from many of the planned activities," the
County Down solicitor said.
He went on to warn that many Protestants believed that attempts
were being made to gradually take their culture away from
them.
"To be able to encourage people to make a positive
contribution to the community, they need to feel valued as
individuals, in the same way that their cultural identity,
and how that is expressed needs to be protected to enable
them to become confident contributors to the wider community
and society in general," said Mr Nelson.
The Institution is highlighting in a submission to the consultation
on the Human Rights Commission's strategic plan that it is
vitally important that Government Departments and bodies recognise
the need to promote equality of opportunity for all.
The Grand Orange Lodge has also encouraged the Human Rights
Commission in any dealings relating to the Loyal Orders to
ensure that any complainants, objectors, protestors, etc,
subscribe to Article 11.1 of the European Commission for Human
Rights.
"We believe we have been victims of those who do not
believe in our right to freedom of peaceful assembly, which
has caused considerable problems to the Institution and to
Northern Ireland society in the past and present," the
submission states.
The Grand Orange Lodge also highlighted that it would expect,
as the largest Protestant community group in Northern Ireland,
to be invited to be among those to participate in such a Round
Table body, without prejudice, to discuss the issue of a Bill
of Rights.
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