UHRC: Quotes for a thought; a must read on Human Rights breaches in Uganda!

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“I had a case of my brother who was arrested by police and was asked to pay UGX 100,000. But after the community meeting by UHRC, I learnt that police bond is free.” A participant in a community meeting in Luweero District (UHRC, P: 64, 2016).

As there been a hectic year for Uganda, with the preparation for the General Election of 2016, the report from Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC), should have lots of instances where the breaches of violations towards political opponents and dissidents from the NRM-Regime. As the system is to uphold the status-quo and respect Mzee. I will today look through the Report and find the most staggering numbers and tales. To show what kind of actions the government does against their own citizens, in the name of the Executive and his reign to keep rule all for himself!

Alone alleged violations in Uganda that we’re registered in 2015 we’re “Torture, cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment” total of 345, “Deprivation of personal liberty/detention beyond 48 hours” total of 247, “ and kind of violation in 2015 we’re 909 to all the offices of UHRC. As seen the registered complaints to the UHRC; the respondents are the once claimed to be responsible for the violations. Here is the one usually behind it:

“The top five respondents over the past six years (2010-2015) have remained the UPF, private individuals, UPDF, local governments and the UPS. In the six years, the UPF had a total of 2,646 (the highest number of complaints registered against a respondent), while private individuals had 1,271. The UPDF had 622; UPS, 205; and local governments, 200” (UHRC, P: 15, 2016). This here proves the level of violations from the Army and Police; the once that are surprised by that haven’t followed how the Modus Operandi of the security organizations in Uganda.

Kakira Prision

One testimony to the UHRC:

“I was told by the investigations team they would follow up my complaint of being detained for eight days at Kakira Police Station. Indeed the Uganda Human Rights [Commission] team did so. I was never at any one point in time asked for facilitation to conduct the investigation until it ended. I now await the outcome of the investigation. By the way, it is upon the Commission’s intervention that I was released immediately. Investigations were conducted objectively and thoroughly to the extent that the perpetrators asked for my forgiveness.” (UHRC, P: 15, 2016).

Second testimony to the UHRC:

“I was arrested by the police from Adjumani Central Police Station on allegations of theft. During detention, my money [amounting to] UGX 200,000 was taken and kept by the police. After conviction and serving my sentence in prison, I went to claim my money, but police told me it was an exhibit in court. When I reported the matter to UHRC, it was registered and investigated and all my money was paid back.” (UHRC, P: 16, 2016).

Complaints completed in 2015:

“In 2015, UHRC closed 382 complaints after investigations. Of these, 287 were backlog files and 95 were fresh complaints registered during the year. 382 complaints were closed for various reasons, including successful mediations, insufficient evidence, receipt of remedy by the complainant, requests from the complainants, referral to other institutions, cautioning of respondent and not revealing any human rights violation. Other reasons included merging of files, failure to trace respondents and death of complainant” (UHRC, P: 17, 2016).

Human Rights 17.11.15

Outstanding compensation from Attorney General to the Tribunal:

“Therefore, the UGX 758,552,86813 that MoJCA paid as compensation to victims of human rights violations in 2015 did not cover any beneficiary of the complaints decided by the Commission during the period 2013 to 2015 (refer to Annex A). As of 31st December 2015, the outstanding awards against the Attorney General was UGX 5,047,671,968 (Uganda shillings five billion, forty seven million, six hundred seventy one thousand, nine hundred sixty eight)” (UHCR, P:31, 2016). Here is the reason for the delayed compensation of the awarded through the tribunal: “Delayed payment of Tribunal awards. Respondents, especially the Attorney General, take long to pay tribunal awards. Although the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs has argued that this is mainly due to limited budgetary allocations, UHRC has realised that the delay is sometimes caused by the bureaucratic processes that require the respective state attorney to form the first opinion on whether to appeal or clear payment of the award. This has caused untold delays, especially in cases where the state attorney may not be willing to recommend payment of the award, particularly where the Attorney General was not represented during the hearings” (UNHCR, P: 32, 2016).

Prisoners awaiting Ministerial Orders:

“K.S Awaiting ministerial order for 24 years. It was reported that he does not get visitors” (…) “B.E Awaiting ministerial order for the last 15 years” (UNHCR, P: 37, 2016).

Third Testimony:

The human rights training we attended were very helpful. I learnt that when I torture a suspect it is entirely on me and me personally…”said an officer from Kasangati Police” (UNHCR, P: 37, 2016)

A little on how the detainees and Prison conditions are:

Many places don’t have transport for suspects of crime, they are taken random by public transport in places like Kole, Erute, Lira, Anyeke, Otuke, Pece and Kinene. With this result on place as well: “At Kamwenge and Bigere police posts, suspects were transported to court and back on bodaboda at a cost of UGX 60,000” (UNHCR, P: 44, 2016). Also inaccurate salaries and compensation of Police officers: “At Buganikere police post, an officer had not received salary since December 2013 and at Hima police station, five staff members had missed their salary of September 2015. At Rwangara police post, staff could not easily access salary because the bank was far away and they would have to incur transport costs” (UNHCR, P: 44, 2016). Even lacking basic structures is a problem at Police Post, Police Stations and Prison cells: “Detention facilities that did not have adequate water for sanitation and personal hygiene included Kiboga, Kasangati and Rubanda prisons, as well as Buseruka Police Post and Nakaloke and Bunkhongo police stations” (UNHCR, P: 51, 2016). When it comes to sleeping facility for detainees: “UHRC found that 234 out of the 896 detention facilities inspected did not have adequate beddings; so, detainees used either tattered blankets, mats or pieces of papers. This was observed in 41 prisons, 192 police detention facilities and one military detention place inspected. These facilities included: Mutufu and Ngora prisons; Ngai, Iceme, Aber, Kwera and Kangai police posts; as well as Dokolo, Otuke (adult cells), Agawata, Adwari and Olilim police stations” (UNHCR, P: 52, 2016).

AGEWATCH-summary-of-summary

The Senior Citizens Grants for Empowerment roll-out plan:

UHRC noted with concern that although 1.2 million people in Uganda were aged 65 years and qualify for the SAGE programme, only 123,260 were benefiting. However, in August 2015, the government announced the roll-out plan of the SAGE programme to 40 more districts across the country over the next five years, beginning with 20 in the FY 2015/16 and subsequently adding five districts every year for the next four years until FY 2019/20” (UNHCR, P: 103, 2016).

Digital Privacy:

“There were allegations of infection by malicious software of communication devices belonging to various individuals, including journalists, believed to be instigated by state agents.156 It is alleged that once infected with this software, a person’s computer or phone could instantly be remotely monitored; passwords, files, microphones and cameras could be viewed and manipulated without the owner’s knowledge” (UNHRC, P: 141, 2016).

On the General Election:

“UHRC noted reports of the overzealousness and selective application of EC guidelines by the UPF, leading to their alleged interference in and denial of some campaign rallies, prevention of opposition accident victims from accessing a health centre for treatment, prevention of people from attending opposition rallies, violently dispersing opposition rallies and injuring supporters; and the arrest of opposition officials and confiscation of opposition materials such as manifestos. It is worth noting that the UPF took action on some of its errant officers and instituted investigations into the incidents” (…) “There were concerns about the alleged discriminatory nature in the way political players enjoyed rights and freedoms of assembly, movement and personal liberty, which did not, in many cases, favour opposition leaders during the electoral period” (…) “Although UHRC noted positive developments, such as strengthened internal mechanisms in political parties, the successful nomination of presidential, parliamentary and various candidates at the local government, and introduction of new technology, such as SMS and the online system, there were challenges that still hindered the realisation of the right to vote. UHRC also noted that some of the challenges identified during the previous elections, such as the timely review of electoral laws, had not been addressed in the run-up to the 2016 elections. In addition, UHRC notes that there is need to address evolving challenges, such as lack of internal democratic party processes, the emergence of crime preventers and militia during the electoral period, and the varied interpretation of laws, in order to ensure that the right to vote is realized” (UNHRC, P: 169- 172, 2016).

UPF 2008 Torture

Proposed amendment of the 48 hour rule:

“There have been proposals to amend Article 23 (4), which prescribes for the production of a detained person to court within 48 hours from the time of his or her arrest, on grounds that the prescribed 48 hours is insufficient to bring a person to court” (… ) ” UHRC, therefore, recommends that:

  • Article 23 (4) should be retained and priority placed on enhancing the investigative capacity of the Uganda Police Force” (UHRC, P: 203-204).

Uganda Police Force should urgently address the issue of detention of suspects without files. If there are no files or charges against them, they should be released:

UHRC made this recommendation to the UPF in 2013. In 2015, the UPF informed UHRC that police commanders and officers in the Criminal Intelligence and Investigative Directorate (CIID) were tasked to ensure that whenever suspects are arrested, files should be compiled, proper and timely investigations carried out, and the necessary procedure followed to take the suspects to court immediately. With the establishment of the Directorate of Human Rights and Legal Services at police headquarters and the deployment of regional human rights officers in 16 regions, this problem was partially addressed” (UNHRC, P: 223, 2016).

Aftermath: 

Here you saw the definition of Human Rights issues, there we’re even more labor questions and education on Human Rights. The certainty is the levels of force from the Uganda Police Force (UPF) and Uganda People’s Defense Force (UPDF) that are extending themselves into the citizens sphere and not being there to create security; instead breaching the levels of trust from the security organization and the citizens.

If you feel I left something behind, please put it in the commentary. This is for me the most important details; I couldn’t pick it all; as there we’re many breaches and many questionable actions towards the citizens that could be posted today. Because this is close to 2000 words, but the report are 296 pages. So the amount of details in the report could fill many pages more and a bigger article. This here is just a hunch of the breaches that the government and their institutions are doing, also the missing pieces to the laws and the institutions that’s securing the rights of the citizens. Peace.

Reference:

Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC) – ‘The 18th Annual Report of the Uganda Human Rights Commission To the Parliament of the Republic of Uganda’ (July, 2016)

First Q: What is in Theresa May’s drink? Second Q: What reason does she have to appoint Boris Johnson for Foreign Secretary? Why do I ask? Because of what he has written and said about Foreigners in the past…

Boris Johnson Foreign Affairs

I don’t know what kind of Sherry or Wine the new British Prime Minister Theresa May is drinking, but something fishy in it; and it is not the fish and chips from the port of Southampton that is the issue, the issue is the decision to pick Boris Johnson, the former London Mayor. To become the Foreign Secretary of the United Kingdom!

I don’t know what kind of trade-off that we’re behind the scenes as his supporters of backbenchers and the ones not leaving him behind Michael Gove skimmed glasses. Certainly there is something that is bugging me. There is an issue of uncertainty that this man should be the man for the Foreign Policy and Foreign Affairs from the United Kingdom. The brash and unsettled man, who loves the spotlight and brute language, which’s now supposed to sweet-talk diplomates and generates negotiations with the European Union and other foreign dignitaries as the new trade-policy and other agreements need to the fit the Post-Brexit agenda. Oh, dear Lord would you give UK a better political climate, for Europe’s sake.

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The man running the foreign affairs wrote back in the day this in the Telegraph:

“They say he is shortly off to the Congo. No doubt the AK47s will fall silent, and the pangas will stop their hacking of human flesh, and the tribal warriors will all break out in watermelon smiles to see the big white chief touch down in his big white British taxpayer-funded bird. Like Zeus, back there in the Iliad, he has turned his shining eyes away, far over the lands of the Hippemolgoi, the drinkers of mares’ milk. He has forgotten domestic affairs, and here, as it happens, in this modest little country that elected him, hell has broken loose” (Johnson, 2002).

He also had some ideas about Uganda:

“Consider Uganda, pearl of Africa, as an example of the British record. Are we guilty of slavery? Pshaw. It was one of the first duties of Frederick Lugard, who colonised Buganda in the 1890s, to take on and defeat the Arab slavers. And don’t swallow any of that nonsense about how we planted the ‘wrong crops’. Uganda teems, sprouts, bursts with vegetation. You will find fruits rare and strange, like the jackfruit, hanging bigger than your head and covered with green tetrahedral nodules. Though delicately perfumed, it is, alas, more or less disgusting, and not even Waitrose is pretentious enough to stock it” (…) “So the British planted coffee and cotton and tobacco, and they were broadly right. It is true that coffee prices are currently low; but that is the fault of the Vietnamese, who are shamelessly undercutting the market, and not of the planters of 100 years ago. If left to their own devices, the natives would rely on nothing but the instant carbohydrate gratification of the plantain. You never saw a place so abounding in bananas: great green barrel-sized bunches, off to be turned into matooke. Though this dish (basically fried banana) was greatly relished by Idi Amin, the colonists correctly saw that the export market was limited” (Johnson, 2002).

Boris Johnson Biking London

If you thought this was his worst and most arrogant belief of other fellow human being and states, just wait there is more in land. This man has displayed a real level of character as the stereotyping of people is enormous. Over a decade later he writes this:

The Labour government enlisted this country in all sorts of wars around the world, some more disastrous than others. British soldiers went to fight and die in Iraq, in Afghanistan, in the Balkans. Here we had people with close relatives in our own country – yes, our own kith and kin – and we did absolutely nothing. We turned our backs on the very people who were actually indispensable to the economic well-being of Zimbabwe, and Labour essentially allowed Mugabe to launch a racist tyranny. It was Labour’s betrayal of the Lancaster House Agreement – driven by political correctness and cowardice – that gave Mugabe the pretext for the despotic confiscations by which he has rewarded his supporters. And that is why Blair should be there: to mark Labour’s special contribution to the tyrant’s longevity in office” (Johnson, 2015).

What he was saying here, is that if they; the labour had left the White in power and control the country might not been in the situation and that the Zimbabwean Government couldn’t done it without them. Which is a bit disrespectful as they we’re colonial and took the land without question; not that I am defending Mugabe and his dictatorial rule, but there have to make some sense to power-grabbing man who have use all kind of tactics to keep control and run the nation. That he has used the White-men when need and abandon them when they we’re not needed. So that Johnson, the future words of his will be that the British and Neo-Colonial ideas is the salvation as the Commonwealth riches comes from his homestead and nowhere else. He will not say it so briefly, but through the bullshit-veins it comes out.

Ian Smith

When you thought he could be more fierce, as he has addressed Africans in blatant light of colonial view, twice over two decades, with disrespectful words, as if he is supposed to greet and African President. He should study a bit more and be a bit humble, even ask for forgiveness as he wouldn’t like to be called something disgusting himself. Even if he brash and little rational accusations are sometimes eaten out of his hands by his fellow supporters. That does not make it a reality, even if the Congolese, Ugandan and Zimbabwean state are failed in some perspectives, the ways he describe it and gives only credit to the ‘white’ and ‘British’, and he had his colourful perspective on the EU:

“Napoleon, Hitler, various people tried this out, and it ends tragically. The EU is an attempt to do this by different methods” (…) “But fundamentally what is lacking is the eternal problem, which is that there is no underlying loyalty to the idea of Europe. There is no single authority that anybody respects or understands. That is causing this massive democratic void” (…) “The Italians, who used to be a great motor-manufacturing power, have been absolutely destroyed by the euro – as was intended by the Germans” (…) “The euro has become a means by which superior German productivity is able to gain an absolutely unbeatable advantage over the whole Eurozone” (…) “This is a chance for the British people to be the heroes of Europe and to act as a voice of moderation and common sense, and to stop something getting in my view out of control” (Roth, 2015).

Here he claims the EU has the Napoleon and Hitler complex for the power-sharing regime that comes from Brussels. This is the man, that already have called African for shambolic things and now his fellow brothers are using the Eurozone as Hitler, did is what he is saying the German are doing with the Euro. That is scary that a mans that believes that the German and Germany are doing what they can to destroy the Italian Auto Industry and take away the British their control of their state, proves the fear the new Foreign Secretary believes in.

Theresa May Quote

Theresa May, this appointment shows little character you have or how little judgement you did with this. I hope you got your will on most of the appointment in your new cabinet post David Cameron. The Post-Brexit Cabinet that have to work and negotiate with European Union and have as a Foreign Secretary would be the London MP Boris Johnson; there is so much disgrace in his attitude and this man supposed to represent the British abroad.

I hope he changes his way, but his tone over the long time proves his distinguished belief that the British are better than other people and for some reasons have the faith for believing so. That is dangerous, not for the protectionist or fear, but the belief that the automatic British ways are better for the world than any other. That is the man they are appointing to be representing them. Any other block from Swindon or Manchester without any track-record could be more representative at this point, as he has burned bridges and is not a brother a man respect, as he has address fellow human beings very badly! Peace.

Aftermath of Brexit: the Leadership quests in the United Kingdom and what Theresa May have to fix as PM!

Theresa May Front Cover

As the Brexit vote changed the United Kingdoms and the atmosphere amongst the Politicians, today’s result of Theresa May instead of David Cameron in Downing Street Number 10; might not be too surprising as the events unfolded. The other parties in Opposition also have current leadership malfunctions as they thrive on. The Parliamentary Labour Party (PLP) continues to undermine their leader Jeremy Corbyn, to an extent that is flabbergasting. While the United Kingdom Independence Party (UKIP) is trying to find another flamboyant leader to excel after Nigel Farage; who by his own mind has done his duty, rubberstamp the ‘leaving the EU’ but not planning how to finish it.

There been wide speculations after the resignation of David Cameron, as both Prime Minister and Conservative Party Leader, who would follow, would it be Andrea Leadsome who nobody nearly was sure who is? Than the backbencher Stephen Crabb who just wished he didn’t text dirty and might had a shot for the being the ring-bearer. The sudden fall from grace and the giant backstabber of the Conservative Party was Boris Johnson who worked against Party Lines for the Brexit and we’re after the Election, decapitated and disillusioned to where his seat where or where he could bike in London, so therefore he said clearly he wasn’t the man to become the next PM. But that didn’t stop the ally in the battle for leaving Michael Gove to throw his gloves into the skirmish of becoming it, as the insight trades and tricks starting with the rational and cynical politician Gove started to raise levels of both discontent with Boris Johnson and also other candidates, but at some point it faulted as the pick of trade we’re Theresa May, a Blairite of the Conservative Party and might be hardliner by the quest of power. She will have her issues as PM and Conservative leader as the Party is still divided over Brexit in-or-out.

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The Labour Party have been in disarray since the vote, they have been in shambles, and the recent months leading up to the vote have been with questions of racial remarks and other blunders making the opposition weak instead of strong, combined with mixed efforts to sustain people to vote for ‘Remain’ as the quest was for the Party. The Labour Party have had to reshuffle the Shadow Cabinet a few times during the June 2016, as many have resigned and asked for their leader to step down, as many as 20 MPs and Shadow Cabinet ministers. This happens not only because of Brexit, but because of the coming Iraqi report – Chilcot report who we’re damaging of Blair agenda going to war against the Saddam Hussain Government. Something Jeremy Corbyn have addressed against with passions since before the war and was even inside leaks that his works against was an internal issue in the United Kingdom transcripts between US-UK letters in early 2000s. With that in mind, seems a little suspicious that they want him down right before the report and also in time to concede his position and power to push the grand-issue of using the ammunition against Blair and getting him indicted or getting him to court over the injustice for the maladministration that lead to the war.

The Other grand issue with the PLP or the Labour Party, they had a vote in Parliament on the leadership role of Corbyn, they voted for no-confidence in him in the end of June 2016, just days after the Brexit vote. That have continued since that the Party have continued to undermine their leader as the newly election rounds is coming where the Labour NEC have complied with the rules and let Corbyn have a new ticket on the election, even as Tom Watson and Angela Eagle who wants be the boss instead of Corbyn. This happens just months after Jeremy Corbyn won over the former leader Ed Miliband; who didn’t reignite the party after the fall of grace after Tony Blair. Therefore the situation with the leadership squabble and the internal struggle, that doesn’t show strength of unity towards any election. The Labour Party seems more divided between too fractions the Conservative MPs who are Blairites and the Corbyn who are more socialistic. That must be also part of the friction between the meager alliances inside the party.

UKIP

While the two parties are doing their business, the UKIP have also change of leader, as Nigel Farage, the most loud and obnoxious leader in British politics stepped down after succeeding the Brexit election and making ready for the United Kingdom to leave Brussels and EU behind. One man that is supposed next man in line is the UKIP MEP Stephen Woolfe, another is Jonathan Arnott and Paul Nuttall. Who will be lucky duck to quack the drill of Article 50 and be addressing grievances of the ignorant Englishmen, is likely one of the three. Who it would be, hopefully a fellow with little charisma and little standing in public, as the people then might lose interest in a party who thrives of xenophobia and fear of the unknown.

This all will lead into an uncertain future, what will happen with Liberal-Democrats is not easy to know, as the men and woman there have been content or not outspoken after the Brexit. A rare vindication in amass of speculation following the vote… What is surely there will be cake-walk for Theresa May as the PM, as the Conservative Party MPs might int the end agree with her bargain, but will the whole Parliament accept a candidate for PM without a general election?

The other grander issue following the leadership squabble and mediocre display of character by the men leading up to the vote, the little planning of how to execute and create a dialogue with Brussels. The other standing issue is the Scotland wish for a solution towards their grievances with England and Wales, as they want another path, even vote out of the Union with the British Islands, so they can become a part of European Union as a Separate State, and the role of Nicola Sturgeon might not be easy Theresa May, as she is pro-EU, but need grace to keep Scotland in the United Kingdom. As the Irish question also comes as Dublin and other parties are asking for all Irish men to be in the European Union, as the Northern Ireland secession into a United Ireland, not two different states, but one Island State. That would also be countering dilemma in the waiting for the next government and No.10. The last straw of the ballad of Brexit is the Gibraltar sovereignty and if it is still to be British or to become part of Spain. That is not something the UK or England’s government can brush under the rug, though the bigger question is if they still can keep City of London pumping with foreign cash exchange and the imported Virgin-Olive Oil from Spain and Italy without any considerable added-tax and regulation as they leave the EU.

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This with the issue that Theresa May will have on the question of legitimacy of her leadership and as a Prime Minister. She might be legally “elected” as PM through the Parliamentary group of elected men and woman in the UK Parliament under the Conservative Party Group decided for her. That might be just by law and such; still the British people can question her legit place and role as leader of the Nation. So if she really wants to run as a democratically elected leader of the British people, than she should schedule a new General Election. There the clean-up and the new leaders who could be ready to set up committees and negotiations with Brussels, in speed and quality of industry, business and people’s will. There many questions and many ones that needs to be addressed while the other political parties are interrupted by this Brexit. So the reality of the aftermath is what the outcome will be in the end. What the European Union will do and how the other member states will agree upon the actions by the EU. That is something we have to look at. Peace.

Preliminary Statement regarding the British Referendum to leave the European Union (05.07.2016)

Satellite_Dish_1116337b

The Board of Directors (the “Board” or the “Directors”) of Global Invacom Group Limited (the “Company”, and together with its subsidiaries, the “Group”) refers to the results of the vote on 23 June 2016 in the United Kingdom (“UK”) on the referendum for Britain to leave the European Union (“EU”).

The UK’s impending departure from the EU – with negotiations expected to commence in the fourth quarter of the financial year ending 31 December 2016 (“Q4 FY2016”) as at the time of this announcement – has resulted in economic uncertainty. However, the Directors believe that the immediate impact on the Group’s satellite communications (“Sat Comms”) will not be significant.

The weakening of the British pound following the results of the vote is expected to have a favourable foreign exchange impact on the Group’s financial performance in the near to medium-term.  The Group incurs a significant portion of its operational and research and development costs denominated in sterling for activities carried out of its UK facilities, and buys some raw materials such as steel and components in United States (“US”) Dollars.  However, as almost all its revenue for Sat Comms equipment is denominated in US Dollars, the weakening of the pound against the dollar will offer some foreign exchange advantages in the near term.

Depending on the outcome of trade negotiations between the UK and the EU following the formal exit, the Group may consider establishing a logistics hub in an EU country in order to continue tariff-free transactions via a possible UK-EU Free Trade Agreement to be negotiated.

While the UK may experience an economic slowdown following the referendum, historical trends have shown that consumption of satellite-streamed content and data increases during such recessions.  Such a development, with more audiences staying home for longer periods of time consuming media entertainment, could benefit its major UK client BSkyB.  The Group supplies BSkyB with satellite dishes and circuit boards for set top boxes.

The Group will continue to assess the implications following the outcome of the British referendum and will keep shareholders informed of any material developments that could impact the business.

 

 

BY ORDER OF THE BOARD

 

 

Anthony Brian Taylor

Executive Chairman

 

5 July 2016

McDonald welcomes statement that Taoiseach will establish National Forum to discuss Brexit implications for Ireland (02.07.2016)

Mary Lou McDonald

Sinn Féin Deputy Leader Mary Lou McDonald TD has welcomed a statement today from Fine Gael Minister of State for European Affairs Daragh Murphy TD, that the Taoiseach Enda Kenny is to establish a national forum to discuss the aftermath of the Brexit referendum and its implications for Ireland, North and South.

Mary Lou McDonald said:

“I welcome the statement today from the Minister of State for European Affairs F Daragh Murphy TD, that the Taoiseach Enda Kenny is to establish a national forum to discuss the aftermath of the Brexit referendum and its implications for Ireland, North and South”.

Sinn Féin’s Party Leader Gerry Adams TD wrote to the Taoiseach on Friday asking him to consider establishing a Forum to discuss the future for the people of this island – North and South – and the European Union following the Brexit vote, and that Mr Kenny meet with him and other political leaders to discuss the proposal.

“I believe any such forum should aim to have island-wide participation and involve the Assembly parties, the Oireachtas, the European Parliament and civic society”.

“The vote of the clear majority of citizens in the North who want to remain in the EU must be respected and defended”.

“The Remain vote brought together unionists, nationalists, republicans and others in common cause on the same platform”.

“Those who campaigned for a Leave vote should also be invited.

“There is an imperative on all of those who are concerned about the consequences of the Brexit vote to work together in the time ahead”.

“A Forum, similar to the New Ireland Forum and the Forum for Peace and Reconciliation, should be open to all political parties on the island”.

“It would have the clear objective of discussing the implications of Brexit and producing papers on strategies and policies that might assist in coordinating efforts in the time ahead.”

House of Commons: Conservative Party Leadership Election – the Nominated (30.06.2016)

Conservative Party Nomination - House of Commons

World Bank president hopes European Union will come out stronger of Brexit (Youtube-Clip)

“World Bank President Jim Yong Kim hopes that the European Union will come out stronger after Brexit, even as European stocks and pound held on to a third day of gains after the United Kingdom’s vote to pull out” (MEA India, 2016).

Peter Kyle on Jeremy Corbyn needing to stand down (Youtube-Clip)

Kate Osamor MP – in Solidarity with Jeremy Corbyn MP (Youtube-Clip)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rIU-jcPEsQk

Soros: Brexit Has ‘Unleashed a Crisis in Financial Markets’ (Youtube-Clip)