Sectarianism Remains Deeply Rooted In NI Claims CRC

Sectarianism remains deeply rooted in Northern Ireland despite undoubted progress that has been made towards a more shared society, the Chairman of the Community Relations Council (CRC) says today as he kick-starts the 10th Community Relations Week.

Tony McCusker highlights that thousands of events and tens of thousands of people have participated in Community Relations Weeks since 2003, which he says is testament to the commitment and will that exists across Northern Ireland to deal with the legacy of the past. But he says there is clear evidence that much more work remains to be done.

"There are still many difficult issues to be addressed, including segregated educational provision, interface areas and barriers, residential segregation, misuse of flags and emblems, parades and other expressions of cultural identity," Mr McCusker pointed out.

"The number of interfaces in Northern Ireland was 22 when the Belfast Agreement was signed; today the number is as high as 88 by some estimates. We still see flags and emblems as prominently displayed during the marching season as before the Agreement. Deep divisions in housing and education also remain. To add to this, racism in our society is now apparent," Mr McCusker continued.

Community Relations Week 2012, which starts today and runs until Sunday, is the biggest week in the community relations calendar, and showcases the positive work taking place across Northern Ireland year-round to deal with the legacy of the Troubles as well as issues around racism. It features events run by a wide range of organisations, from district councils to statutory bodies and community organisations and its theme for 2012 is ‘No More Them and Us?’.

The flagship event of Community Relations Week is the CRC Policy Conference which takes place today at Titanic Belfast entitled: ‘No More Them and Us?: the challenges and opportunities for creating a shared society’. Speakers include: Michael O’Flaherty, the Chief Commissioner of the Human Rights Commission, Michael Wardlow, the Chief Commissioner of the Equality Commission and representatives from the Office of the First and Deputy First Minister (OFMDFM) and the Department of Justice.

(CD/GK)