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20th
April 2004
PRESS
RELEASE
GREEN
PARTY CALLS ON MCDOWELL TO VINDICATE HUMAN RIGHTS OF ALL IN
CITIZENSHIP
REFERENDUM
The
Green Party has called on the Minister for Justice Michael McDowell to honour
both the spirit and the letter of the Belfast Agreement. It has called on the
Minister for Justice to reiterate his commitment to partnership, equality and
mutual respect as stated in the Declaration Of Support that serves as a preamble
to the Belfast agreement.
The
Green Party Justice Spokesperson Ciarán Cuffe stated: "The preamble to the
Belfast Agreement calls on the two Governments to vindicate the human rights of
all. We are asking him to allow for a period of considered reflection and debate
on this issue rather than rushing a referendum through in the rush of
electioneering."
"We
also want him to consult adequately with all Parties in the North as provided
for in the Agreement. This should not be rushed through."
We
agree with Michael McDowell's call for moderate and appropriate language.
However he has sullied this debate by using the emotive phrase 'Citizenship
Tourism'. We are calling on McDowell to lead by example with his own choice of
words.
ENDS
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