The Origins of the Northern Ireland Peace Process - Essay Example

Analyse the origins of the Northern Ireland peace process. Which factors best explain the changes that occurred in Northern Irish politics in the 1990s? The Northern Ireland peace process is a complex topic to be discussed as it has long background with several issues. The term ‘peace’ in discussion of the peace process has two distinct uses; one peace as the absence of conflict and the other is peace as the outcome of a process. The Northern Ireland peace process carries both the meaning of the term peace as the process has gone through various turbulent phases. But analyse here are only the major factors that influences the Northern Ireland peace process in 1990s. The paper would throw light on several features of the news coverage that might have direct or indirect impact on the latest stages of the peace process. The major events in the Northern Ireland peace process during 1990s are often described as the latest round of the peace process. For decades the images of violence and bitter sectarian division have made Northern Ireland a place of unrest. Despite bloodshed remarkable measures has been taken to bring peace and progress in the region. Centuries old religious animosity is the main reason of the Northern Ireland conflict. The counties of Northern Ireland has majority of Protestant population, who do not trust minority Catholic people. The minority wants to be a single, united Ireland but Protestants are determined to remain a part of the United Kingdom. Adding to the woes are the political reasons. The cycle of protest and violence as paramilitary groups from both sides plunged the region in bloodshed. (Mulholland, 2002) Series of attempts have been made in the peace process to dismantle this legacy of antagonism and mistrust. The conflict between supporters of a united Irish Republic (Nationalists) and separatists loyal to England (Unionists) has rightly called the Troubles. It is said that the Troubles has ended with the Good Friday Agreement signed in April 1998. But occasionally violence rematerialises political and civil unrest in Northern Ireland keeping the future of Irish in stake. Banning of Ulster Defence Force The explosion of two IRA (Irish Republican Army) bombs in the heart of London in April 10, 1992, has fuelled the tension and the Ulster Defence Force was banned in August. This gave a major setback to the 1992 peace process. The British government was under pressure to ban Sinn Fein as he has close connection with the IRA but the analyst believed that banning Sins Fein might stall the current peace process. The government decided to draw the republican movement’s leaders into constitutional debate and in the same year the British government invited Sinn Fein and the IRA to start peace talks. (David Butler, 1995, p.82 ) The governments of England and Ireland progressed positively with the moves and support grew for all-party talks on Northern Ireland. But the IRA bombing in October 1992 killed many people in Belfast shopping district then after a week the unionist opened fire in a nationalist pub and killed innocent people. Downing Street Declaration This sectarian attack force Dublin and London to take stern steps towards peace process and thus an Anglo-Irish declaration was announced in 1993 to open negotiations to all parties ready to renounce violence. It was on 15 December 1993 the famous Downing Street Declaration was signed between the then British Prime Minister John Major and the Taoiseach (prime minister) of the Irish Republic. In the declaration both the governments claimed that they intend to progress with the peace process to find a comprehensive political settlement. The British government guaranteed Northern Ireland’s statutory constitutional and states that it would fulfill the democratic wish of the people of Northern Ireland. The Downing Street Declaration is one of the milestones in the peace process of Northern Ireland as it offers the entry of republicans into politics if IRA stopped violence. The declaration states that British do not have any selfish interest in the region. (The Independent on Sunday, 11.2.1996, p.21) The effect was so serious that the IRA and Protestant paramilitary groups declared a cease-fire in 1994. The Irish Republic Army (IRA) has announced cessation of military action on August 30, 1994, which mark the end of one part of the peace process and the beginning of another part. The ceasefire was an important part in the peace process as the analyst noted that the IRA ceasefire was the natural culmination of the peace process. (The Independent on Sunday, 11.2.1996) At this juncture the IRA understand the importance of the current situation and was ready to boost the democratic peace process. The IRA said, “A solution will only be found as a result of inclusive negotiations." (Mulholland, 2002) The British government stressed on three main fields for the peace dialogue with Sinn Fein namely, to explore Sinn Fein’s inclusive political talks process, to debate on the role of Sinn Fein as the current constitutional parties in the life of Irish people, and to assess the practical impact of the ceasefire. End of ceasefire But as the governments and the separatist group began formal peace talks violence again erupts its ugly head in 1996 when the IRA threatened to halt the peace process. Despite the warning both sides continue negotiations to achieve a political settlement. On February 9, 1996, IRA exploded a huge homemade device in the Docklands area of London that brings an end of the IRA ceasefire. The explosion caused a damage of about pounds 85 million. (The Independent 11.2.1996) This created a wave of condemnations around the world. Then on February 18 another violent explosion took place in central London. The British government beefed up the security on the British mainland and in Northern Ireland. (The Independent 20.2.1996.) The Good Friday Agreement Then in 1997 a fragile ceasefire was announced by the main paramilitary groups. Sinn Fein of the IRA was readmitted to the peace talks. The process continued amid little bit violence that keeps cropping up. And then the Belfast agreement, better known as the Good Friday Agreement, was signed on April 10, 1998. The people of Northern Ireland approved the agreement through a referendum. The agreement offers the best hope of a lasting solution to the violence. The Good Friday Agreement was signed under the chairmanship of a former U.S. Sen. George Mitchell. He described this agreement as the result of democratic effort. The agreement gave Northern Ireland a political framework to resolve its problems. This mark the end of the old divisive system of majority rule and the beginning of a model of governance based on parity of esteem in Northern Ireland. Both the unionism and nationalism have agreed to include each group in the government because the agreement allows each political tradition to carry on with its goal to remain a part of the United Kingdom or to join the Irish Republic. (Tanam, 2001) It is fact that the Good Friday Agreement has changed the political scenario of Northern Ireland. The agreement has created a 108-member Assembly and 14-member executive body, which include both Catholic and Protestant political representatives. This led the ease of ceasefire by the main paramilitary groups even the presence of the British military was also reduced. Slowly and steady the IRA has begun decommissioning its weapons. Multinational companies started pouring in investment (Tanam, 2001) The impact of the Good Friday Agreement was so deep that the Republic of Ireland agreed to withdraw its territorial claims on Northern Ireland. After further negotiation a multiparty government was formed in December 1999 and England ended direct rule of the region. Ulster Unionist leader David Trimble was appointed as the leader of the Northern Irish government. Thirteen week after signing of Good Friday Agreement worst violence took place with the Omagh bombings. In the meantime the sectarian fight between loyalists paramilitary factions has claimed several innocent lives. But overall the agreement was welcomed by all in England as well as in Irish Republic. As per the agreement Northern Ireland should remain within the United Kingdom as long as the people of that province wish. If the people wish for united Ireland the British and Irish governments should give effect to the arrangements for the same. The agreement also states the proposals for devolved government. (Tanam, 2001) The agreement also include provisions such as review of the sentences of those held for terrorist offences or having any relations with paramilitary groups on ceasefire. The provision was included in a bid to secure releases of the arrested paramilitary groups members within two years. The agreement appointed special commission to review the whole structure, organization and ethos of the police. Besides, there were other provisions, which includes enhancement of the status of the Irish language and to reinforce existing provisions, which were designed to boost fair employment and to end discrimination. (Tanam, 2001) The successful approval of the Good Friday Agreement means the replacement of the 1985 Anglo-Irish Agreement by a new British –Irish Agreement. The Good Friday Agreement is rightly called more comprehensive and far-reaching successor of the catalyst for all the political developments over twelve and a half years. Reactions over the agreement Apart from local and international media civic society of Northern Ireland itself expressed their reactions on positive note. They were pleased that at last the politicians had reach to an accord. Even the globally the success of Good Friday Agreement was widely praised. The US administration expressed considerable satisfaction. The European Union also welcomed the move with a promise to support the agreement. But there were criticism especially before the signing of the agreement that whether the agreement would really affect any changes. Various associates of paramilitary groups attempt to thwart the peace process that has marked a niche through the agreement. They attempted to create instability, adding to unionist fears and hence strengthen unionist opposition. But despite this, the strong points of the agreement strengthened the mood of optimism and raised hopes in both parts of the country for a more peaceful and stable future across both the nationalist and unionist communities. (Jeson, 1998) The agreement has sidelined the nature of social polarisation and discrimination within the wider context of peace process as it is premised on broad cross sectarian notions of inclusion and democratic participation. Analysis of the peace process suggests that it may be characterised by entreaties and through this peace process a new political institutions are being developed in Northern Ireland. But no peace process can be successful until it involved the population of the province, the very people it is supposed to benefit. In conclusion the peace process in Northern Ireland has went through many phases but never derailed and at last with the sealing of the Good Friday Agreement. The analysis of the Northern Ireland peace process aims to provide a substantial discussion of different phases within the process. The turbulent peace process of Northern Ireland established the fact that process only brings peace at the end of the day. The above analysis is an attempt to show the significant influence of some great incidents that happen in the peace process during 1990s. Work Cited David Butler. (1995), The Trouble with reporting Northern Ireland (Avebury, Aldershot, England.) E Tanam, (2001), 'Explaining the Good Friday Agreement: A Learning Process', Government and Opposition; 36 (4) Autumn 2001, p.493-518. Ingraham, Jeson. (1998), 'The Irish Peace Process'. CAIN: M Mulholland, (2002), The Longest War: Northern Irelands" Troubled History. The Independent on Sunday, 11.2.1996. Read More