Government challenged on failures to meet UN and GFA commitments

Speaking after a presentation last Thursday from the Hannah’s House organisation to the Oireachtas Good Friday Agreement Implementation Committee, Deputy Seán Crowe said the Irish and British Governments must meet their obligations and implement UN Security Resolution 1325 with regard women and conflict.

Hanna’s House is a home for an active feminist community in Ireland, working for a non-violent, just society that embraces diversity and provides opportunities for women to develop and promote radical changes for equality and justice.

Deputy Crowe said: “The failures of the Irish and British Governments to address the UN Resolution on Women and conflict were discussed at the most recent meeting of the Good Friday Implementation Committee.

“Sinn Féin supports the views of Hannah House who have called on the Government to ensure that UNSCR 1325 is an integral part of the work of the Joint Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement as well as Ministerial Councils set up under the Good Friday Agreement. There needs to be full cooperation on issues related to women’s equality and human rights.

“Instead of abdicating its responsibilities, the Irish Government should reinstate funding and supports for the victims of the conflict. The withdrawal of this essential assistance threatens the very existence of organisations such as the Justice for the Forgotten Group, who are campaigning on behalf of the victims of the 1974 Dublin and Monaghan bomb outrages .

“Clearly the Irish Government is failing to meet its obligations under the Good Friday Agreement and like their British counterparts, they are paying lip service to UN Security Resolution 1234.

“The Taoiseach and his fellow Ministers are failing to properly resource victims’ groups. It is not enough to adopt resolutions at UN level and then do nothing. Victims and their families want to see genuine evidence of real commitment and resources being put in place to help Irish citizens who suffered during the conflict and who are seeking the truth about their loved ones.”