Prime Minister
The Hon. Tony Blair MP
10 Downing Street,
London
_________________________________
Dr. Marjorie Mowlam, MP
Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland Office
Stormont Castle,
Belfast
Frankfurt, July 9th, 1998
Dear Prime Minister, dear Secretary of State,
As an organization working for the promotion of human rights and health we followed closely for the past three years the developments towards peace and a more promissing future for all the people in the North of Ireland. We were very encouraged by the approach the British government has taken towards promoting this aim.
We now fear for the beleaguered and threatened residents of the Garvaghy Road. In the current delicate situation and taking into account the disastrous development during the Orange Order parade season in previous years were pleased that the British government enforced the decision taken by the Parades Commission to re-route the parade away from the Garvaghy Road in Portadown.
We feel strongly that at this time it would be fatal to relent to threats from the Loyal Orders or parts of Unionism which are not in favour of the Good Friday Agreement. We urge you not to reverse the decision and to assure that the British Army and the Royal Ulster Constabulary are there to uphold the law and protect the threatened residents of the Garvaghy Road.
This is an issue of human rights and equality. The right to march is not in danger. The Orange Order does not have any excuse to create a new battleground while the rest of the world hopes that peace and a new culture of cooperation starts growing in this troubled corner of Europe. It might be difficult for Loyal Orders to come to terms with the changes towards an equal society but no group should be allowed to force their will onto other people. The Orange Orders have to be made aware that they have to show respect for their fellow human beings, that they have to enter into dialogue with the people of any community through which they wish to march and that the possibility of forcing contentious marches through does no longer exist.
We trust that the British government will not fail the vast majority of people who are desperately hoping for an end of sectarian harassment and intimidation.
Thank you for your kind consideration.
Yours faithfully,
medico international e.V.
Thomas Gebauer,
Anita Heiliger, Director Projectadmin.