‘SDLP facilitate discrimination’, blasts Sinn Fein’s Megan Fearon | Latest Newry News, Newry Sport and Newry Business for Newry City

‘SDLP facilitate discrimination’, blasts Sinn Fein’s Megan Fearon

Sinn Féin Newry Armagh MLA Megan Fearon has criticised the SDLP for their decision to abstain from the Assembly Bill which called for a ban on former political prisoners holding the position of Special Advisor.

Speaking to Newry Times, Fearon said, “This Bill, introduced by the inflammatory unionist Jim Allister, was passed due to the decision by the SDLP not to vote against it.

“The resulting legislation is anti Peace Process, anti Shared Future and anti Good Friday Agreement. It discriminates against former political prisoners who have played a huge role in today’s peace and it is totally wrong.

“Under this legislation people such as our MP Conor Murphy, who is currently in Cuba advising on the Colombian Peace Process, would not be able to hold a Special Advisor position. Nelson Mandela would not be able to hold a Special Advisor position.

“If Bobby Sands and Raymond McCreesh were alive today they would also be banned from becoming Special Advisors. This legislation pits one victim against another and creates further division and inequality.

Fearon added, “Yesterday the SDLP refused to even meet with representatives of victims of state violence, sending a clear message reinforcing their hierarchy of victims. Sinn Féin will always fight against discrimination and we will continue to oppose this Bill in the time ahead.”

Short URL: https://newrytimes.com/?p=32074

Posted by on Jun 10 2013. Filed under Politics. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry

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