Mess on parading latest failure of DUP/Sinn Fein coalition - TUV
24 September 2010
TUV Responds to Parading Code of Conduct
Commenting on the publication of Traditional Unionist Voice’s response to the consultation on the Draft Code of Conduct on Parading, TUV leader Jim Allister said the deadlock on parading was not just the latest failure of unworkable government, but a slap in the face for anyone who believed the DUP’s hype after Hillsborough that they had secured real progress for the loyal orders.
“Remember how the DUP covered its tracks over its climb-down on Sinn Fein’s demands for policing and justice by trumpeting a quid pro quo success on parading. Now, 6 months on delivery has been nil. Deadlines for introducing fresh legislation have come and gone (on the Hillsborough timetable the Bill by now should have completed its second stage in the Assembly) and the draft Bill when produced was a catastrophic backward step, built upon adjudicators, who can include convicted terrorists, appointed by IRA commander McGuinness and the First Minister, and upon an enhanced expectation of consultation by parade organisers with politically manipulated residents groups.
“TUV welcomes the recent climb-down by the Office of the Co-First Minister which means that the scope of the Public Assemblies Bill will be limited to parades and parades related protests. In our response to the Draft Public Assemblies Bill TUV made this point very forcefully believing that the legislation as originally published would have constituted an unacceptable assault on the right to peaceful pubic assemblies of all kinds and having particularly worrying implications for religious freedom as it would have effectively have criminalised medium to large impromptu open air gatherings.
“Welcome as this retreat is, such a fundamental change to the scope and remit of the Bill raises questions about how one can respond to a consultation on a Draft Code of Conduct based on the original flawed Bill. The Code will require major changes in view of this, and a revised version should have been issued.
“In light of developments, we have looked at the requirements of the Code purely in relation to parading and parade related protests.
“TUV remains alarmed about the repeated stress which the Code of Conduct places upon the need to seek the agreement of local residents before a parade takes place. It is clear that despite claims to the contrary dialogue with residents’ groups will be a major determining factor when it comes to deciding if a controversial parade should pass.
“Furthermore, within the Code there is no recognition that a common reason for difficulties surrounding parades in recent years, and a justifiable reason for resistance to dialogue, is that many so called ‘residents groups’ are cabals of their own activists manufactured by IRA/Sinn Fein to attack and eliminate every vestige and expression of British/Protestant culture.
“TUV is disappointed that neither here nor within the Draft Bill is there any presumption in favour of traditional routes or presumption in favour of parading on arterial routes, in pursuit of such being shared space. We believe this defect must be addressed if an equitable way forward is to be found.
“When it is remembered that the adjudicators on parades are to be 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 is hard to find or imagine, either within the legislation or the Code. It is offensive and wrong that convicted terrorists could adjudicate on parades, but this is what this DUP/Sinn Fein legislation permits.
“We recognise that 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.”
For a full copy of the TUV response to the draft Code of Conduct see: http://tuv.org.uk/files/FINAL%20VERSION%20TUV%20RESPONSE%20TO%20CONSULTATION%20ON%20PROPOSED%20CODE%20OF%20CONDUCT%20ON%20PARADING.doc
For a full copy of the TUV response to the Draft Bill see: http://tuv.org.uk/files/Response%20to%20Parading%20Consultation.doc
