SDLP Youth are mounting a demonstration at the Dáil calling for northerners to be allowed to vote in Irish Presidential elections.

The demonstration will take place at the gates of the Dáil at 1:45pm today (Wednesday 30th January 2008).

Speaking ahead of the demonstration SDLP Youth Chairperson Gary McKeown said: “People living in the north have the right to identify themselves as Irish, so it is only fair that they should be allowed to vote for their head of state. This is in-keeping with the spirit of the Good Friday Agreement and strengthens democracy. We believe that anyone who is eligible to vote in the north should be allowed to cast a ballot in the race for Áras an Uachtaráin.”

All Press and Photographers are welcome to attend.

ENDS

30-01-08

SDLP Youth spokesperson Peter Armstrong this morning led a demo in Dungiven to highlight the lack of delivery by Sinn Fein Regional Development Minister Conor Murphy MP.

“SDLP Youth were in Dungiven this morning as Sinn Fein’s PR “cavalcade” of a full and empty bus passed through on its way to Stormont. We were pleased to highlight the fact that infrastructure minister Conor Murphy has already allowed the Dungiven by-pass to slip by 3 years from 2015 to 2018. On top of this, there is still stalemate on the rail link with no money secured in the budget to provide any high-quality service. Nobody expects Conor Murphy to finish the rail upgrade or to lay the tarmac on the new road within months of entering office, but the public certainly expects more than we are getting. The road will now take longer under Conor Murphy than under the direct rule Ministers and is incredible that he is committing no money to improve the rail line.”

“While it is perplexing that Sinn Fein have to lobby their own Minister to rectify his stalemate and slippage, SDLP Youth will keep up the pressure on Conor Murphy, Martin McGuinness and all the other Ministers to ensure that Ministers act up for Derry and the Northwest.”

Pictures:
Connor Murphy Dungiven Excuses
By-Pass By-When Conor Murphy?

The SDLP Youth’s Liam McNulty has welcomed Tesco’s decision to discontinue the use of Uzbek cotton in their products.

“The Uzbek cotton industry is notorious for its use of forced child labour and we echo the comments of the Environmental Justice Foundation in calling the boycott of the cotton a ‘breakthrough decision’.

“Of equal importance is the decision by the company to implement a system of checks on the sources of the materials used in their products. It is clear that if Tesco can do this then it is also possible for other companies to follow suit. This means simply that ignorance is no longer an excuse. We would call on other retailers such as ASDA, Matalan, Burtons and Top Man to follow Tesco’s example.

“Ethical trading is a matter of great importance and SDLP Youth has recently launched a ‘Think Before You Buy’ campaign to raise awareness of the issue. Our members are also involved in the Clean Clothes Campaign, supporting garment workers’ rights around the globe.”

SDLP Youth Chairman Gary McKeown has welcomed a report by BBC News which has highlighted the plight of children in the Czech Republic who are caged-up in state institutions, saying it should act as a wake-up call for other EU members.

Mr McKeown said: “The BBC report showed how children with mental disabilities are locked behind bars with no stimulation whatsoever. Not only does this fail to address their needs, but it drives them into fits of despair. It is breathtakingly shocking to think that this is going on within the European Union in 2008.

“There is a tradition in some eastern European countries to take an ‘out of sight, out of mind’ approach to children with special needs. Often this involves locking them up in state institutions, denying them affection or any kind of meaningful human interaction.

“The treatment of these vulnerable children is like something one would expect to find in a battery farm.”

Mr McKeown also condemned the treatment of children in institutions in Bulgaria: “These youngsters are denied any form of stimulation and often their medical needs are ignored. There have been documented cases of children effectively being left in agony to starve to death. The child mortality rate in many of these Bulgarian institutions is positively Victorian. Yet this is all happening in 21st Century Europe.”

“The Czech Republic is a top tourist destination. Bulgarian homes are being snapped up by Irish investors on a daily basis. Both counties are full members of the EU. Yet simultaneously children are being treated in torturous conditions in these countries.”

Mr McKeown concluded: “There is a burden on every one of us to deal with this issue by putting pressure on the governments of these countries. They are living in denial of the need for basic human rights for these children. By visiting these countries or spending money there without protesting against their governments’ record on the treatment of children, we are effectively sending them the signal that we are happy to accept their shortcomings.

“I urge people to research this issue and write to these countries’ embassies protesting against their record on the treatment of children in care.”

A Chara,

We will be going to Dublin on Wednesday 30th January 2008.

The day will include a tour of Áras an Uachtaráin, Leinster House and Kilmainham Gaol. Other events are still to be announced!

Transport will be provided from Belfast and Newry.

We need numbers as early as possible, so if you are aged 16-30 and would like to go, please contact us ASAP.

SDLP Youth

SDLP Youth activists have mounted a demonstration at the Dáil calling for northerners to be allowed to vote in Irish Presidential elections.

Speaking at the event, SDLP Youth Chairperson Gary McKeown said, “People living in the north have the right to identify themselves as Irish, so it is only fair that they should be allowed to vote for their head of state. This is in-keeping with the spirit of the Good Friday Agreement and strengthens democracy. We believe that anyone who is eligible to vote in the north should be allowed to cast a ballot in the race for Áras an Uachtaráin.

“This should not be seen as an attempt to undermine the right of unionists on this island to identify themselves as British. It is simply aimed at providing people in the North of Ireland with the democratic right to vote for the President of Ireland alongside their counterparts in the Republic. Indeed, it is ironic that our current President is from the north- we have a ridiculous situation at present whereby someone from the north can stand for President, yet people living in that part of the island can’t actually vote in the election.”

The Newry Representative continued, “The SDLP has the strongest track record of developing cross-border links and working with our partners in the Republic to build a better future for everyone on this island. This SDLP Youth campaign promotes an all-island normalisation agenda which respects everyone’s rights and strengthens democratic participation on an all-Ireland basis. By working with other parties, we believe that a resolution to this issue can be found more quickly.”

Magherafelt SDLP Youth Member John O’Doherty concluded adding, “We had invited representatives from all the main parties elected in the south to join us at this demonstration. It was disappointing that we were told by most of them that their respective parties have no policy on this matter. I would urge all parties to think in an All Ireland context on such issues and to join with us in the fight to secure voting rights for people living in the northern counties.”

Photos available at: http://www.sdlpyouth.com/gallery/v/campaigns/voteforpresident/

Radio interview : BBC Radio Foyle - Gary McKeown