John Lowry
Sectarianism should be made a criminal offence in Northern Ireland and a summit involving all sectors of society held to draw up an action plan to combat the problem.
The Workers’ Party has written to the Office of First and Deputy First Minister to demand an early ‘Summit on Sectarianism’ and the immediate introduction of legislation to criminalise religiously motivated threatening, abusive, disorderly or offensive behaviour.
This summit must involve all political parties, social, cultural and sporting organisations, the churches and representatives of the voluntary sector. The Workers’ Party is also seeking immediate action to make sectarian behaviour online, including posts on sites like Facebook and Twitter, an indictable offence with the option of a custodial sentence.
Sectarianism remains deeply rooted with Northern Irish society as divided as it has ever been. In Belfast alone there are 47 official peace lines and over 80 barriers. Children continue to be educated separately and over 80% of citizens live in areas exclusive to one community or the other.
The very public and positive steps to tackle sectarianism being taken by the Scottish Parliament should serve as an example to the Stormont Assembly and to everyone living in Northern Ireland. The Assembly must face the stark realities of daily life and also consider their own role in the perpetuation of, and vested interest in, continuing sectarian division.
Artilce published in LookLeft Vol.2 No.6
