What is happening in Belfast, Northern Ireland?

Worst protests and riots have erupted in Belfast since the Good Friday Agreement.

More than 90 police officers have been hurt and even children aged 13 involved in the riots against NI protocol.

Protests first started in Derry on 30 March 2021, in April and it spread to Belfast and now continues in different cities of NI.

A bus set on fire during the protests in Belfast (Image: Liam McBurney/PA Wire)

18 people have arrested and 15 have charged for criminal behavior.  A huge portion of protestors and rioters are from loyalist groups who are against the NI protocol. The protests and riots are condemned by UK prime Minister Boris Johnson, EU leaders, and Taoiseach(Irish Prime Minister) Micheál Martin. While the protests and riots are paused with a respect to the death of Prince Phillip, it is expected to continue until a resolution is reached.

What is the reason for the  Belfast protests and what is NI protocol?

Protestors filled the streets of Belfast as a reaction to the Northern Ireland Protocol, a post- Brexit trading agreement. This agreement separates Northern Ireland from the rest of the UK and gives a special status to NI. In other words, as the trading goes, the island is considered as one and the NI is considered as Ireland, rather than the UK. The border between UK and EU is moved from NI- Ireland border to the Irish Sea.

Photo Credit: Wikipedia

This is the main issue for the loyalists. Loyalists issued that they will be against any agreement that leaves Northern Ireland outside of the UK. While the separation movements increased all over the UK after Brexit, people were assuming that NI might join the republic after a decade of separation. However, NI is a different case than Scotland and the recent events shows the complete opposite.

The situation in Northern Ireland

The conflict of Northern Ireland goes back to the 1920s when Northern Ireland first separated from the Republic and stayed as part of the UK. Since then two main groups have occupied the NI politics and the public: Nationalists and Unionists/loyalists

Photo credit: (https://belfastchildis.com/)

While Unionists are happy as part of the UK, the nationalists are pushing for a united Ireland even today. Yet, this difference was not only on thought, for 50 years these different groups have brought horror to the both UK and to Ireland. This period is known as The Troubles ended with the Good Friday Agreement.

In 1998, Sides agreed on the Good Friday Agreement( or Belfast Agreement) and the conflict has resolved.  A hard border was removed between Republic and NI, and assurances were given to the unionists that NI will stay as part of the UK.

Protestant Loyalist protestors converge on Belfast city hall Saturday, Jan. 5, 2013. (photo credit: AP/Paul Faith)

In 2013, a small eruption happened once more, when Belfast city hall decided that they will not put the Union flag. This decision was met by angry loyalist protestors and death threats were sent to the politicians.

Nowadays, the tension is higher and the possible solutions are limited. Hopefully, the conflict will resolve quickly and safely.

Sources:

BBC News. 2021. NI riots: What is behind the violence in Northern Ireland?. [online] Available at <https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-56664378> [Accessed 24 April 2021].

(2021). Retrieved 24 April 2021, from https://www.belfastlive.co.uk/news/belfast-news/belfast-riots-scenes-calm-testament-20432407.

Bbc.co.uk. (2021). Retrieved 24 April 2021, from https://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/56672828.

Kearney, V. (2021). Police officers attacked by protesters in Belfast. RTE.ie. Retrieved 24 April 2021, from https://www.rte.ie/news/ireland/2021/0409/1208725-northern-ireland/.

McDermott, S. (2021). 15-year-old arrested for ‘riotous behavior’ after youths burn furniture to barricade street in Belfast. TheJournal.ie. Retrieved 24 April 2021, from https://www.thejournal.ie/belfast-loyalist-unrest-lanark-way-shankill-road-5414707-Apr2021/.

McNeice, S. (2021). Northern Ireland protests: Bus set on fire during evening of violent protests in Belfast | Newstalk. Newstalk. Retrieved 24 April 2021, from https://www.newstalk.com/news/bus-set-on-fire-during-evening-of-violent-protests-in-belfast-1176414.