Peace Campaigns And Terrorism

EDM number 456 in 1995-96, proposed by Harry Barnes on 20/02/1996.

That this House recognises the courageous efforts of peace campaigners who bravely stood up to loyalist and republican terrorism and whose activities were an important factor in creating the conditions for the 1994 ceasefires; salutes the courageous response to the renewal of the IRA's vicious and totally unjustified terror campaign by those numerous British and Irish people who support calm and determined efforts to mobilise public opinion in favour of peace and to isolate terrorism; is particularly pleased that trade unions, churches and peace campaigners have united to organise tremendous rallies for peace in Belfast and Dublin which clearly demonstrate that the IRA has no moral or democratic mandate to speak or act in the name of the Irish people; commends the decision of the main newspapers in Northern Ireland to jointly organise a telephone poll for peace; further congratulates the decision of the Birmingham Evening Mail to launch a mass petition for peace and encourages other local, regional and national newspapers to run petitions and campaigns urging an immediate end to the killing; recognises that the white ribbon, first launched in Dublin and Belfast and then in London, represents a powerful symbol of the determination of British and Irish people throughout these islands to re-establish peace; and believes that such organised expressions of cross-party and non-party public revulsion will also strengthen the bonds of friendship between British and Irish people and complement the efforts of the British and Irish Governments.

This motion has been signed by a total of 23 MPs.