South African peace and human rights campaigner, Archbishop Desmond Tutu has paid a two-day visit to Northern Ireland.

On the invitation of the Committee for the Administration of Justice (CAJ) and the Global Citizens Circle, the Archbishop arrived in the province on Sunday and met children from local schools, including pupils from Holy Cross Primary School in Ardoyne, in the Europa Hotel in Belfast.

He also addressed a conference on the current consultation period on a Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland in the Wellington Park Hotel, Belfast.

Speaking on Tuesday, November 6, Archbishop Tutu said he was very pleased to be here on the day that Mr Trimble and Mark Durkan were sworn in as First and Deputy First Minister and offered them his congratulations.

However, he said he was distressed about the situation at Holy Cross. He said he would hope that both sides might be able to find away of resolving a very distressing situation: “People around the world are appalled as they see the images on television. How can people have got themselves to such a stage? We are trying to see whether there is anything one can do to promote reconciliation and a resolution of a very distressing situation.”

The Northern Ireland Human Rights Chief Commissioner, Brice Dickson, said: “The visit of Archbishop Desmond Tutu at this time is particularly welcome as the Commission’s public consultation on a Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland is currently underway. The Archbishop will, I’m sure, give us many useful insights from his personal involvement in helping to promote a human rights culture in South Africa.”

The Human Rights Commission is currently consulting on its proposals for a Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland, with closure ending December 1. In drafting its proposals, the Commission has drawn on international experience in countries such as South Africa and Canada as well as the submissions and advice received from a wide range of local organisations and individuals. (AMcE)