APPENDIX 13
Memorandum submitted by the Ulster Unionist
Party
Following oral evidence the UUP wishes to submit
the following written evidence addressing further Convention rights
deemed to be undermined by the Parades Commission and the relevant
legislation, apart from Article 11's guarantee of the right to
freedom of peaceful assembly.
Article 11's guarantee of the right to freedom
of peaceful assembly, other Convention rights are likewise undermined
by both the orchestrated campaign of agitation and the Commission.
Article 10 "Everyone has the right to freedom
of expression"—Loyal Order assemblies are integral
to the expression of a cultural and religious heritage. The Parades
Commission rulings restricting these assemblies are on the basis
of hostility expressed in the campaign of agitation to such freedom
of expression.
Article 11 "Everyone has the right to freedom
of peaceful assembly and to freedom of association with others"—it
is of consequence that Article 11 links these two freedoms. The
right to freedom of association finds an obvious expression in
the freedom of peaceful assembly. Hostility to the Loyal Orders,
and the right of citizens to freely associate themselves with
these Institutions, is a central component of the agitation against
their right to freedom of peaceful assembly.
Article 17 "Nothing in this Convention
may be interpreted as implying for any State, group or person
any right to engage in any activity or perform any act aimed at
the destruction of any of the rights and freedoms set forth herein"—on
a routine basis both the campaign of Republican agitation and
the rulings of the Parades Commission spuriously invoke other
Convention rights in order to place unwarranted restrictions on
the exercise of the fundamental rights secured by Articles 10
and 11.
21 April 2004
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