Thousands of people have already responded to the Covenant
for Human Rights launched by the Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland
last month.
The huge response to the human rights campaign is a vindication
of the principled stand taken by the Orange Institution in
the face of sustained attempts by Governments and its various
agencies to suppress Orange and Unionist culture and traditions
throughout Northern Ireland.
The actions of the Parades Commission, an unelected and undemocratic
quango, have resulted in a denial of liberty and democracy
to a large section of society in Northern Ireland and the
general view within the Unionist and Orange community is that
this most iniquitous body should be disbanded immediately.
"It is known that the Parades Commission is there for
one purpose only - to break the Orange Institution and get
them off the public roads at all costs," said Wor. Bro.
Robert Saulters, Grand Master of Ireland, on July 12.
"The Parades Commission from its inception was anti-Orange
and in its decisions is unashamedly sectarian," said
Wor. Bro. Denis Watson, the Order's Grand Secretary.
Support for the Covenant of Human Rights has come not just
from Orangemen and women and their supporters in Northern
Ireland, but from people in other parts of the United Kingdom,
the Republic of Ireland and overseas who genuinely believe
in liberty and democracy.
The Covenant of Human Rights outlines: "Being convinced
in our consciences that the citizens of Northern Ireland are
being denied fundamental rights enshrined by European charter
and convention and, afforded elsewhere in the United Kingdom
and the Republic of Ireland, we, humbly relying on God, do
hereby pledge ourselves in solemn covenant throughout these
times of crisis, to stand together and campaign for the full
restoration of our liberties and freedoms.
"Using all availabe constitutional and lawful means
we commit ourselves to defend the right of all citizens to
live in peace and harmony with their neighbours free from
the threat and fear of violence, implied and imposed by paramilitary
groups, of whatever complexion, who refuse to relinquish illegally-held
arms.
"And further, we commit ourselves to uphold the right
of all citizens to assemble peacefully in order to celebrate
their history and traditions in the firm belief that society
as a whole is enriched through greater understanding of, and
tolerance for, its varied cultural components.
"To this end, we call respectfully on the leaders of
all democratic nations to lend moral and political support
to this cause and urge them to use their good offices to help
us deliver to Northern Ireland a more just and peaceful society
based on the principles of freedom, equality and brotherhood."
The Covenant for Human Rights is being circulated to Orange
Lodge membership and the wider public over the coming weeks
and months. The momentum towards achieving freedom and democracy
will be significantly increased!
|
