MA Congressman Bill Keating + House Colleagues Call for Full Implementation of the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement

 Congressman Bill Keating 

On Thursday, January 12, 2023, Massachusetts Congressman Bill Keating introduced House Resolution 33, calling for the full implementation of the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement and expressing hope for the continued success of the Northern Ireland peace process on the 25th anniversary of the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement.  

Congressman Keating was joined fellow congressmen Mike Fitzpatrick, Brendan Boyle and Mike Kelly of Pennsylvania, Joe Wilson of South Carolina, Derek Kilmer of Washington and David Rouzer of North Carolina.  Here is the text of the resolution.

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IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

January 12, 2023

Mr. Keating (for himself, Mr. Fitzpatrick, Mr. Boyle of Pennsylvania, Mr. Kelly of Pennsylvania, Mr. Wilson of South Carolina, and Mr. Kilmer) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs

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RESOLUTION

Calling for the full implementation of the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement and expressing hope for the continued success of the Northern Ireland peace process on the 25th anniversary of the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement.

Whereas, on April 10, 1998, cross-community representatives in Northern Ireland as well as representatives from the Republic of Ireland and the United Kingdom signed the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement (herein referred to as “the Agreement”) ending the period of violence known as the “Troubles” and establishing a framework for peace in Northern Ireland;

Whereas the talks surrounding the Agreement were chaired by the Honorable George J. Mitchell and supported by the United States Government and Congress;

Whereas all communities in Northern Ireland were represented at the talks that led to the Agreement and the United States has played a vital role as a good-faith actor in talks surrounding implementation of the Agreement;

Whereas the Agreement was a negotiated settlement between the communities in Northern Ireland as well as the Governments of the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland;

Whereas the Agreement provided for the foundation of the establishment of power-sharing devolved institutions to reflect the will of the people of Northern Ireland regardless of community, tradition, or background and consistent with democratic principles;

Whereas the Agreement affirms, protects, and safeguards the inherent human and civil rights of the people of Northern Ireland in abidance with the European Convention on Human Rights and establishes new institutions in Northern Ireland, including an Equality Commission and Human Rights Commission, to ensure equal protection under the law for the people of Northern Ireland;

Whereas the “3 Strand” approach which laid the framework for the directly elected Northern Ireland Assembly and Executive as well as North-South and East-West institutions, continues to bring together stakeholders to consult, cooperate, and act on matters of mutual interest;

Whereas the Agreement acknowledges the suffering of victims of violence committed during the “Troubles”, including the impact on young people;

Whereas the Agreement contains measures for economic and social progress, addresses cultural issues, and sets out a way forward on decommissioning of paramilitary weapons, the normalization of security, and policing and justice issues that are essential for a sustained peace in Northern Ireland and on the island of Ireland; and

Whereas the 25th anniversary of the signing of the Agreement represents an important moment of reflection on the progress made in ensuring peace and reconciliation in Northern Ireland and should stand as a catalyst for continued efforts to implement the Agreement: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the House of Representatives—

(1) reaffirms strong and unwavering support for the Agreement on the 25th anniversary of its signing;

(2) calls for the full implementation of the Agreement in the spirit of peace and reconciliation in Northern Ireland;

(3) commends the work of all peoples, communities, and traditions in Northern Ireland as well as the Governments of the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland for their work over the past quarter century in furthering peace and reconciliation in Northern Ireland in accordance with the principles and values outlined in the Agreement;

(4) supports the work of the North-South and East-West bodies established by the Agreement;

(5) supports all measures which seek to break down remaining cultural, religious, and societal barriers in Northern Ireland;

(6) expresses solidarity with the victims of violence during the “Troubles” as well as their families and calls for continued measures to ensure accountability, justice, and reconciliation;

(7) supports further cross-community cooperation including the establishment of more integrated schooling and housing across Northern Ireland as well as the establishment of civic forums to engage with civil society in Northern Ireland; and

(8) supports the continued role of the United States as a good-faith and positive actor in the Northern Ireland peace process.