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SDLP COMMENT ON BILL OF RIGHTS FORUM REPORT SDLP Justice Spokesperson Alban Maginness MLA has welcomed the publication of the Bill of Rights Forum Report. Mr Maginness, who served on the Forum with party colleagues Dolores Kelly MLA and Éilis Haughey, stated: “The Forum Report includes many excellent recommendations which should be included in a Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland. The SDLP wants to see a comprehensive and progressive Bill of Rights setting out the principles that should underpin the new society we are trying to build and help to ensure that the violence of the past is never repeated and that the division of the present is overcome. Ten years after the Good Friday Agreement, we believe it is high time the commitment to a Bill of Rights was honoured.” Mr Maginness welcomed the degree of constructive engagement that had taken place despite party differences but expressed disappointment that the unionist parties have taken a very restrictive view of what a Northern Ireland Bill of Rights should contain. “Northern Ireland is a divided society coming out of violent sectarian conflict. It is therefore unique within these islands in its history and in terms of current challenges and should have a bill of rights that acknowledges and reflects that just as the Good Friday Agreement intended. “The SDLP believes that the conflict pervaded many aspects of our lives. We also believe that a bill of rights can create some common ground in our divided society – principles upon which we can agree despite our differences. On such common ground we can build a shared future.” |
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