“ Place and Role of Minorities in the Euromed Context:

1. Northern Ireland: analysis of a case study of conflictual situation based on minority problem: ethnic, linguistic and religious. “Place and Role of Minorities in the Euromed Context: Ethnic, Linguistic & Religious” Bilbao, Spain, September 2007

2. Aims • We will try to analyse the causes, the origins and the consequences of this conflict in the local, regional and international context. • Also, using the Case Study of Northern Ireland demonstrate how can ethnic and religious minorities who are in conflict influences sharply the political, the economical and the cultural context on the local, regional and also the international context.

3. Objectives • receive a historical overview of the irish religious and ethnic conflict • look at the causes and the consequences of the conflict • be able to contextualise the issues relevant to the conflict • receive an overview of how the conflict can be solved or at least avoided.

4. Context Setting • Northern Ireland is part of the United Kingdom of Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales and Northern Ireland)‏ • Northern Ireland is on the island of Ireland and sits alongside it’s neighbour, the Republic of Ireland

5. Context Setting • Northern Ireland has a population of approximately 1.5million people of which it is estimated that 55% are from a Protestant background and 44% are Catholic and under 1% others • There are 32 counties in Ireland, 6 of which are in Northern Ireland and these 6 are in the ancient province of Ulster (9 counties). There are four provinces in Ireland: Ulster, Connaught, Leinster and Munster • There is no one indigenous Irish Nation: history includes Normans, Vikings, Gaels, etc

6. Significant Dates • 1155 – King Henry II grants permission to invade Ireland • 1366 – Statute of Kilkenny to keep Irish and English apart • 1530s – Anglicisation Laws • 1608 – Plantation • 1690 – Battle of the Boyne • 1795 – Orange Order formed • 1798 – Irish Rebellion

7. Significant Dates • 1800 – Act of Union • 1840s – Irish Famine • 1916 – First World War/Easter Uprising • 1921 – Partition • 1937 – Free State becomes Rep of Irl: Articles 2 & 3 • 1939-45 – Second World War • 1968 – Civil Rights Movement • 1969 – British Troops enter N Ireland • 1972 – Direct Rule

8. Significant Dates • 1980 – Hunger Strikes • 1985 –Anglo Irish Agreement • 1994 – First IRA Ceasefire • 1998 – Good Friday Agreement • 2002 – Direct Rule re-introduced • 2007 – Devolution returns

9. Who’s who? • Unionists: British, Loyalist, Protestants, Orange, believe in the Union between GB and NI • Nationalists: Irish, Republican, Catholic, Green, believe in a United Ireland • Key Figures: Ian Paisley, Gerry Adams, John Hume, Tony Blair, Bertie Ahern

10. Conflict • Northern Ireland has suffered a protracted, low intensity conflict which has encountered both individual and collective trauma • Different Phases but current conflict began in 1968 • Over 3, 500 people have died in the conflict

11. Efforts and Political Agreement • 1974 – Sunning dale ‘Power Sharing’ Agreement • 1998 – Good Friday Agreement • 2007 – Devolution returns

12. Causes of conflict in NI • Territory • Identity • Nationality • Injustice • Policing • Decommissioning • Politics

13. Causes of conflict in NI • Military • Equality • Sectarianism • Religion • Class • Violence • Justice System

14. Causes of conflict in NI • Sport • Legitimacy • Language • Customs • Traditions • Education • Symbols • Economy

15. Why we failed….. • Failure to recognise legitimate concerns • Non-recognition of identity • Not inclusive • Violence viewed as legitimate • Rights Vs Responsibilities • Lack of Contact • Victimhood • Failure to address all issues fully • ‘Whataboutery….’ • Economical • Differing Value Base

16. Why we succeeded….. • Britain and Ireland’s relationship changed • Outside Intervention – United States • People grew tired of violence • Those on the extremes were ‘brought in from the cold’ • Recognition of each other, our identities, nationality and legitimate concerns • Commitment of British and Irish governments • Key Issues dealt with by ‘others’ & ‘outsiders’, i.e., decommissioning, policing, victims, parades, etc

17. Why we succeeded….. • Peace Process was on-going ‘on the ground’ • EDI Principles • All issues were addressed • Recognition of the past • Commitment to peaceful change • Commitment to removing conditions that caused conflict • Constitutional Issues addressed • Trust • Fears were addressed • Humour!

18. Cultural Aspects • Live Apart • Go to different Schools • Different Names • Languages • Different Sports • Music • Historical Narrative • Religion • Wealth • Identity – ‘not sure who I am but know what I’m not’

19. Dangers • Living in segregated areas • Segregated Education • Poverty • Power Base among Loyalist paramilitaries • Some Republicans still opposed to political process • Growing tide of Racism and homophobia

20. Dangers • Sectarianism still underneath the surface • Communities feel more polarised than ever • Economy dependent on GB • Potential Political Instability • Parading Issues • There are still guns in society • Trust and ‘Blind Faith’ • Young people involved in Street Politics

21. Thanks Thank you for your attention