Welcome to our website!

These pages contain information on the conflict in the North of Ireland, up to date reports on the current situation, reports of fact finding delegations , own statements and features.
Many of us support conflict resolution in the North of Ireland for years and visit the North on a regular basis. We want to contribute to an understanding of the situation.
We want to draw your attention especially  to the issues mentioned in the window below:

We would like to hear your opinion about the conflict in the North of Ireland and the informations we provide here. We would be glad to receive your comment on these issues. 

send us an email!

Uschi Grandel, Schierling

Special note:

11.11.2008 - European Parliament in Brussels hosts conference on the Spanish-French-Basque conflict:
>>>> actions of the police critized, demand on Madrid to start a democratic process <<<<
Sunday, 2. November 2008: the British Ministry of Defence and Unionists force a 'Welcome home parade' for soldiers of the British Army's Royal Irish Regiment through Belfast against massive protests of Irish republicans and the families of the many victims of the British Army in Ireland. The soldiers served in Afghanistan and Iraq.
>>>> Mary Nelis: Open letter to British Secretary of State Shaun Woodward <<<<
40th Anniversary Civil Rights Commemoration
>>>> 5.10.2008, Martin McGuinness: "That march for civil rights continues ..." <<<<
>>>> 14.09.2008: Ten years after the Omagh bombing: Omagh bomb calls were monitored
Sinn Féin analysis of Lisbon Treaty rejection: How the campaigns played out
>>>> 19.06.2008: Eoin Ó Broin: We won but the hard work is just beginning
New show trial in the Basque Country:
>>>> Petition: Support the 27 defendants of the case 33/01
>>>> 08.06.2008: We say: Lessons from the North of Ireland?
>>>> 21.04.2008: Julen Arzuaga: 33/01 - Case against Gestoras Pro-Amnistia-Askatasuna
Murder of the lawyers Pat Finucane (in 1989) and Rosemary Nelson (in 1999) - evidence points to collusion and the involvement of British state agencies:
>>>> 16.05.2008: Rosemary Nelson Inquiry: Lawyers were often target of RUC threats
>>>> 01.05.2008: British secretly blocked Finucane inquiry
10. Anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement:
>>>> 03.04.2008: Gerry Adams: The Good Friday Agreement - an historic and defining event
>>>> 17.02.2008: Interview: Democratical change to all aspects of life
Journalist Maik Baumgärtner talks to Uschi Grandel from Info Nordirland about the current situation of the peace process in the North of Ireland, its impact on the life of ordinary people, the Irish Republican Movement and the influence on other conflicts:
SEE ALSO: >>>> Background: the political struggle about the implementation of the Good Friday Agreement since 1999
Irish rebel music: "Irish Brigade" on April 12, 2008 in Kleinostheim:
>>>> further information <<<<
Basque trade unionists call for abstention at the next Spanish elections on 9. March 2008. European delegation visit the Basque country to observe the situation befor and during the elections:
>>>> 28.02.2008: Jim Gibney (Sinn Fein): Spain could learn lessons from Irish conflict
see also:
>>>> "Hautsitako Leihoa - the broken window" an ordinary day in the Basque Country
>>>> further informations about the situation in the Basque Country
29.2./1.3.2008, Dublin: Info-Nordirland delegation visits Sinn Féin Ard Fheis (party conference) 2008:
>>>> Momentous Political Developments - Keynote Speech by Martin McGuinness
>>>> Vote No to the Lisbon Treaty - Mary Lou McDonald MEP

>>>> Full coverage of the Ard Fheis (speeches and motions): see Sinn Féin Ard Fheis website <<<<
Basque country in a state of emergency:

Parties banned ... demonstrations banned ... politics banned
11.2.2008: Spanish police arrests 14 prominent members of the Basque independence movement in their houses. Spanish government tries to violently suppress the discussion about conflict resolution.

The Spanish government should better learn from the failed British politics of internment and criminalisation in Ireland in the past: they won't succeed! It's time for a peace process!

>>>> 9.02.2008: Spanish Government bans anti-fascist Basque party once banned under Franco's dictatorship
German language only - translation follows asap

>>>> 4.02.2008: Spanish Police arrests further leading members of the
Basque Independence Movement

>>>> 08.01.2008 / 13.8.2008: serious allegations of torture against Spanish police - Amnesty International demands an investigation!
>>>> 13. December 2007: An important step! <<<<
European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) admits claim of the Basque party Batasuna against the Spanish government:

>>>> 525 years in prison - a mass process as symbol of oppression: background information about the conflict and links to latest news

Dealing with the conflict in a proper way is an important foundation for a peaceful future:

>>>> 25.01.2008: Mary Nelis: The pain of the past
>>>> 13.01.2008: Mary Nelis: The trouble with war!

Travel reports and impressions from the West Belfast Festival 2007:

31.12.2007: >>>> Report from the Anti-Racism-Cup / Announcement: Weekend of International Solidarity
on 11./12. January 2008 in Düsseldorf

European Court of Human Rights judgment against the British Government:
(British) security forces targeted innocent civilians in the North of Ireland:
>>>> 27./28.11.2007: Press Releases on behalf of the families and their laywers <<<<

During the "Troubles" hundreds were killed by police, British Army or pro-british, loyalist death squads under suspicous circumstances:

>>>> 12. August 2007, Belfast: March for Truth -
Thousands unite in call for truth <<<<

Further information: s. background Collusion
1.11.2007: >>>> Gerry Adams: "Exploring different routes to peace" <<<<
Issues Conflict Resolution / Lessons from the Anglo-Irish Conflict / Erosion of civil rights / Victim centered Truth process / Collusion / Need of any Truth Process to be independent: " ... The United Nations ... could be involved ..."
International:
7. Oct 2007: Interview with Irish peace facilitator Alec Reid about the Spanish-Basque conflict after mass arrests of Batasuna leadership people in Segura on October 4th
>>>> Alec Reid: "No one can call Spain a democratic state" <<<<

10. Sept. 2007 - Iraqi Delegation meets Representatives of Irish and South African Peace Process:
>>>> Hope for the Future and No Trust in Governments <<<<

16. June 2007, international: How do we deal with a coup d'état by an elected government?
>>>> Robert Fisk:Welcome to 'Palestine' <<<<

3. June 2007, North of Ireland, Training for Iraq and Afghanistan:
>>>> Still at war? <<<<

>>>> Invitation to join our delegation for West Belfast Festival 2007 <<<<
6. - 10. August 2007

Agreement in the peace process opens up new era of politics in the North of Ireland

>>>> 10.5.2007: Face of Ireland changed in just 16 minutes <<<<
>>>> 7.5.2007: 'Difficult journey' to move forward <<<<

>>>> 26.3.2007: Democratic Unionist Party leader Ian Paisley and Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams
speak to the media during a joint press conference - full text of the speeches<<<<

>>>> 17.3.2007: Ronan Bennett comments on Peter Mandelson's interview: In a British fairyland <<<<
>>>> 12.3.2007: Our comment: Voters demand power sharing (German language only) <<<<
>>>> 09.3.2007: Assembly Election 2007 - final results <<<<

>>>> Shell to Sea Campaign against Shell and Statoil
in Mayo wins Environment Prize <<<<

background of the campaign / German "Shell 2 Sea" Website now online!
>>>> 3. Mai 2007: UVF Statement: "Weapons out of reach and civilianised role in society" / first reactions and comments <<<<
>>>> 22. April 2007: UVF spy ring had dossiers on 116 people <<<<
Sinn Féin's vote on the special Ard Fheis in January 2007 to support the police in the North of Ireland went through all media world wide. Less media attention is gained by struggling for democratic accountability of the PSNI.

(1) In many areas nationalist communities are still experiencing partisan political policing:
>>>> 22.2.2007: Castlederg - Ombudman to explain complaints procedures available against PSNI officers <<<<

(2) Torture and the "conveyor belt system" exposed:
>>>> 22.2.2007: Torture in police holding centres and Diplock courts - "a distinct feeling of unease" (e) <<<<

Special Sinn Féin Ard Fheis on "Policing and Justice" on January 28, 2007 in Dublin:

Analysis:
>>>> 4.2.2007: Sea change in Northern politics <<<<

Voices from the Ard Fheis:
>>>> Martin McGuinness proposing the Ard Chomhairle motion at the Extraordinary Ard Fheis <<<<
>>>> Laurence McKeown: Policing debate another historic milestone in evolution of republican strategy <<<<

Further coverage, speeches and videos on >>>> Sinn Féin website <<<<

Operation Ballast: Police Ombudsman Nuala O'Loan publishes report on 22. January 2007
"... the biggest-ever policing scandal to hit Northern Ireland. With the Government braced for an uproar over how a state agency allowed a terrorist unit to kill Catholics and Protestants, files have been sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions ... (PA, 21. Jan 2007)
>>>> 22.01.2007: Public Statement of the Police Ombudsman <<<<

>>>> 21.01.2007: Police was running UVF gang <<<<

>>>> 19.01.2007: The victims - Over ten years left nineteen people dead - Police gave licence to kill <<<<
>>>> 19.01.2007: Marc Thompson (Relatives for Justice): Don't stop on the bottom rung of collusion ladder <<<<

>>>> "keywords/collusion" <<<<
Updates on the peace process:

>>>> 14.1.2007: A step forward in the struggle for an accountable police service <<<<
PSNI Chief Constable Hugh Orde admitted that the police killed innocent victims by using plastic bullets. Tony Blair confirm that MI5 and the PSNI will stay separate organisations. Sinn Féin sets date for the special Ard Fheis on policing.

>>>> 10.01.2007: DUP's creative ambiguity has limited lifespan <<<<
>>>> 02.01.2007: Gerry Adams explains Irish-Republican strategy: Sinn Féin wants to achieve maximum change <<<<

>>>> further reports available in the section "new update"
25. Anniversary - Reflections on the 1981 Hunger Strikes

Film "Unbowed Unbroken"
Reflections about the 1981 hunger strike with accounts from Irish Republicans Pat Sheehan, Danny Morrison and Brendan (Bik) Mc Farlane.
Available for free on the internet on Google Video:
>>>> Film review and link <<<<

Account of a journey, July 2006 (at the moment only in German language - translation to English language follows asap):

North of Ireland, County Tyrone, Cappagh/Galbally, 13. -16. July 2006:
>>>> The whole district pays tribute to Martin Hurson <<<<
>>>> text only version <<<<
>>>> Download PDF (460 kB) <<<<

5. Mai 1981:
25 years ago Bobby Sands died on hunger strike

>>>> 05.05.2006: Ubuntu - Robert McBride (ANC) gives the annual Bobby Sands lecture in Belfast
>>>> 04.05.2006: Former Hunger Striker Laurence McKeown's story
>>>> 05.05.2006: And 25 years later ...

further information on this site (some German language only):
>>>> background: hunger strike 1981 <<<<
Dissidents in the republican movement - analysis by Danny Morrison:

>>>> 10.09.2006: When One Doesn't Mind Being Called A Provo <<<<

Cannes Film Festival - May 2006:
>>>> Palme d'Or for Ken Loach film "The Wind That Shakes the Barley" about the irish war of independence <<<<

15-year old Michael McIlveen died after sectarian loyalist attack in Ballymena:

>>>> 9.05.2006: Laughter of our children? <<<<

>>>> further reports available in the section "new update"

Fógraí Báis (Obituary): Brian Campbell 1960 - 2005
"He was a poet, writer, playwright, IRA Volunteer, political prisoner, political activist, friend, partner, husband, father, and valued member of the community.

We will miss you a chara but we are richer because you were with us for a time."
Newry, 14.10.2005
IRA delivers on it's promises

>>>> 06.10.2005 Jim Gibney: IRA initiative strengthens peace process <<<<
>>>> 26.09.2005 Gerry Adams: a very positive response to my appeal to the IRA <<<<
>>>> 26.09.2005 BBC: IRA 'has destroyed all its arms' <<<<
>>>> 25.09.2005 IRA will dump arms soon - Gerry Adams <<<<
>>>> 24.09.2005 Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams: Sinn Féin seek progress in time ahead <<<<

Unionist (pro-british) paramilitary violence escalates:

>>>> 15.9.2005: Martin McGuinness: "Unionists must sit down with Sinn Féin!" <<<<
>>>> 15.9.2005: A victim of the ongoing loyalist violence speaks out <<<<
>>>> 23.8.2005: Anne Cadwallader: What can we do to end sectarianism? <<<<
>>>> 22.8.2005: Once again Short Strand under severe attack <<<<
>>>> 18.8.2005: Sinn Féin launch dossier on unionist paramilitary activity <<<<

Station Elation
Street céili set to take place on site of former PSNI barracks

>>>> Dancing at the crossroads <<<<

IRA ends armed campaign

>>>> 28.07.2005 statement of the IRA <<<<
>>>> 28.07.2005 Comment from Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams <<<<
>>>> 29.07.2005 Reactions from other parties <<<<
>>>> 27.07.2005 Unionist (pro-British) paramilitaries: “Armed and dangerous” <<<<

Orange Order march forced through North Belfast:
residents beaten by loyalists and police

>>>> 24.06.2005 Squinter: "A court case would be over in five minutes" <<<<
>>>> 24.06.2005 Kelly arrest a blatant act of provocation <<<<
>>>> 24.06.2005 Attempting to reassert the Orange state <<<<
>>>> 18.06.2005 March Madness <<<<

Westminster elections in the North of Ireland - analysis:

>>>> Jim Gibney (May 26, 2005): DUP's unionist domination will not happen <<<<

>>>> Andytown News: Is that your best shot? <<<<

see also -> news

8.10.2004 - Gerry Adams, President of Sinn Féin, in an analyses for the Irish Voice:
>>>> Looking to the Future <<<<

Delegation to the West Belfast Festival
North of Ireland, Belfast, 30. July - 8. August 2004

>>>> Invitation <<<<

30.5.2004: Torture in Iraq

>>>> Getting Away With Murder - From Derry’s Bogside to Basra (vigil on May 21)
>>>> Danny Morrison: "A proud tradition" (May 11)

Right to vote attacked by new electoral law

>>>> "Biggest Gerrymander Since Partition" (March 5, 2004)
>>>> Andersonstown News (Spring 2003): "Stick your vote up your XXXX "

1. July 2003: European Court passes judgement on Finucane murder:

BRITAIN GUILTY OF BREACHING RIGHT TO LIFE

>>>>> Press Release from the Pat Finucane Centre

New book: "Ardoyne - the Untold Truth"
was launched on August 15, 2002. Ardoyne is an irish community of about 6000 inhabitants in the North of Belfast. In several hundreds of interviews with familiy members, friends and eyewitnesses the Ardoyne Commemoration Committee has compiled the history of all Ardoyne victims - 99 people - who died as a consequence of the last 30 years of conflict. The book is a personal testimony of the Ardoyne community and gives a deep insight into the conflict, the situation in which ordinary people were living and the politication of the irish-catholic people in the North during the troubles. The introduction to the different periods between 1969 and 2002 add to this authenticity by several interviews with local Ardoyne people of the period under consideration.
>>>>> Further information on the book <<<<<

June 19 / June 23, 2002: "A LICENCE TO MURDER"
a documentary on collusion of British Army and RUC with loyalist killers in the North of Ireland by BBC Panorama.
>>>>> Transcripts of the documentary available on the website of the Pat Finucane Centre

ONE OF THE CORE ISSUES OF THE PEACE PROCESS:

>>>>> Background on the police force RUC/PSNI and on the policing debate <<<<<