Paramilitary violence on the rise in NI
The level of intimidation by paramilitaries in Northern Ireland is on the increase, a new Stormont report shows.
According to latest statistics, the number of families forced out of their homes is up by a third – with 774 cases recorded in 2009-10.
The report commissioned by the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister recorded 122 cases of paramilitary-style shootings and attacks in 2009, compared to 56 the previous year.
The number of casualties from attacks more than doubled, while the targeting of Orange Halls increased from 57 cases in 2008 to 77 in 2009.
Director at Institute for Conflict Research, Neil Jarman, says Northern Ireland is “almost certainly still bigoted”.
“There is still a huge amount of prejudice, not always overt, but it’s there. It’s underpinned by the sense of difference between two communities that you see through residential segregation and segregation in schools”, he told UTV.
“All this creates a sense that the ‘other lot’ is different from us.”
Community Relations Council chief executive Duncan Morrow said there still is a long way to go, but most people want to move on.
“The high levels of intimidation of others because of their religious beliefs, political opinions or ethnic identity do not reflect the will of the vast majority of community opinion.”
The report found that the desire for a shared future remained high across Northern Ireland. Eight in 10 saying they favoured living in mixed neighbourhoods.
In 2009, 92% said they would prefer a mixed-religion workplace, the same proportion as in the previous year. Sixty-nine per cent also agreed members of minority ethnic communities should be encouraged to participate in public life.
