Code of Conduct aids objectors to parades
01 July 2010
Statement by TUV Leader Jim Allister on OFMDFM's Code of Conduct on Parading
"The publication by the Joint First Ministers of the statutory Code of Conduct on parading confirms all my fears that the rights and status of objectors are to be expanded and a prejudicial obligation placed on organisers to dialogue with them. Facilitating a breeding ground for grievance, by gifting rights of dialogue on every jumped up objector, will hinder, not help, the parading rights of the Loyal Orders and others.
"Despite post Hillsborough assurances that mandatory dialogue would not be imposed; de facto the reality under this Code is very different. At page 15, and elsewhere, face to face dialogue with objectors – many of whom are IRA acolytes, or worse – is decreed as the expected ‘norm’ and the organisers must satisfy the adjudicators of the ‘exceptional circumstances’ which justifies their non-participation in such face to face engagement. Note where the onus lies. Thus, anyone who tries to pretend that compulsory dialogue with orchestrated objectors is not an inherent part of this DUP/Sinn Fein package is either deceiving themselves, or, more likely, trying to deceive others.
"When it is remembered that the adjudicators are appointed by the Joint First Ministers, and therefore will include McGuinness’ placemen – with no bar on those with terrorist convictions – and that there is no right of appeal from the adjudicators, then, progress towards establishing parading rights in Rasharkin, Dunloy, Portadown, or elsewhere, is hard to find or imagine. It is offensive and wrong that convicted terrorists could adjudicate on parades, but this is what this DUP/Sinn Fein legislation permits.
"Though both the Parading Bill and now this statutory Code are out for public consultation, and such should be utilised, I will forecast that beyond token tweaking the deficient substance of both will not change, because the reality is that they are the product of a DUP/Sinn Fein deal which is far more important to ‘the process’ which produced it than obtaining justice for parade organisers.
"Indeed some probably see cover and advantage for their own brand of politics in these proposals: the message from its authors to parade organisers is ‘as we collaborate in government with IRA/Sinn Fein, so you likewise must collaborate with them on the streets’, giving its own cover to their nefarious coalition with the forces of evil."
