Discover and read the best of Twitter Threads about #GFA
Most recents (22)
1. The diversity of the issues raised at @IrelandsFuture public meetings around preparing for unity tells us this is a current and important conversation which people want to engage in, says chair @andreemurphy at latest public meeting in #Sligo #preparingforanewireland
2. Now is the decade of opportunity and our constitutional future is being discussed by all sorts of people in both public and private forums, says @MacManusChris
3. #Unity is about the dynamic that provides a better standard of life for all the citizens says @MacManusChris . It is not the responsible of one or two political parties to outline that vision.
Westminster voted for A hard tourism border on the island of Ireland tonight.
Ireland had zero say.
To be clear:
This means that a French or German person cannot take a trip to Belfast from Dublin for the w/e without UK border documentation.
Disaster for #NI.
#Brexit
Ireland had zero say.
To be clear:
This means that a French or German person cannot take a trip to Belfast from Dublin for the w/e without UK border documentation.
Disaster for #NI.
#Brexit
Another own-goal for the UK Union.
This will go down like a bucket of cold sick amongst Irish born people in Northern Ireland.
This will go down like a bucket of cold sick amongst Irish born people in Northern Ireland.
Full story in the Irish Times
(In case UK media doesn’t consider it even newsworthy. Chances of that?)
#Brexit impact upon island of #Ireland.
irishtimes.com/news/ireland/i…
(In case UK media doesn’t consider it even newsworthy. Chances of that?)
#Brexit impact upon island of #Ireland.
irishtimes.com/news/ireland/i…
@GFAfghanistan aims to be a leading organization working for Afghans around the world.
We are assembling a great team of proven leaders that are focused on Afghanistan.
Please follow us. RT and like. #GFA
We are assembling a great team of proven leaders that are focused on Afghanistan.
Please follow us. RT and like. #GFA
Follow @GFAfghanistan, we are an international team working to make sure #AfghanVoices are heard around the world. We want to safeguard those at risk. #Afghan
@BarakPashtana @rahmanrahmanee @husainhaqqani @paulocasaca1 @jason_c_howk
#GFA
@BarakPashtana @rahmanrahmanee @husainhaqqani @paulocasaca1 @jason_c_howk
#GFA
N.Ireland is once again the rope in the UK/EU tug of war.
(we've been here before, several times 🙄😩)
Both claim to be acting on the grounds of the Good Friday/Belfast 1998 Agreement.
🇬🇧🇪🇺🇮🇪
Both have a point…
But it’s complicated.
A twitter thread.
#Brexit #GFA
1/13
(we've been here before, several times 🙄😩)
Both claim to be acting on the grounds of the Good Friday/Belfast 1998 Agreement.
🇬🇧🇪🇺🇮🇪
Both have a point…
But it’s complicated.
A twitter thread.
#Brexit #GFA
1/13
The Belfast/Good Friday #Agreement has 3 strands.
These strands represent the lines of division that gave rise to the #conflict:
* unionist/nationalist within NI,
* north/south across the border, &
* British/Irish.
The B/GFA formalised cooperation across these lines.
2/13
These strands represent the lines of division that gave rise to the #conflict:
* unionist/nationalist within NI,
* north/south across the border, &
* British/Irish.
The B/GFA formalised cooperation across these lines.
2/13
Crucially, all are #interdependent.
Underpinning it all is the British-Irish relationship
🇬🇧🇮🇪
That relationship was improved & became closer as a result of being ‘partners in the EU’ 🇪🇺
The EU was also a go-to model for some of that cross-border & multilevel cooperation.
3/13
Underpinning it all is the British-Irish relationship
🇬🇧🇮🇪
That relationship was improved & became closer as a result of being ‘partners in the EU’ 🇪🇺
The EU was also a go-to model for some of that cross-border & multilevel cooperation.
3/13
22 years ago today people of all traditions voted for #GFA.
It stands because it was uniquely validated North & South (h/t John Hume).
DUP opposed it.
Still, like rest of us, they & followers were guaranteed rights under GFA.
But the DUP do not have rights over it. 1/
It stands because it was uniquely validated North & South (h/t John Hume).
DUP opposed it.
Still, like rest of us, they & followers were guaranteed rights under GFA.
But the DUP do not have rights over it. 1/
Agitated against #GFA even after its validation but DUP now self-ordain as arbiters of GFA precepts.
Using twisted lines to conflate/confuse discrete "consent" provisions in GFA re Brexit, backstop & protocol.
Now arrogating over "birthright" tenet on citizenship choice. 2/
Using twisted lines to conflate/confuse discrete "consent" provisions in GFA re Brexit, backstop & protocol.
Now arrogating over "birthright" tenet on citizenship choice. 2/
Dual referendum 22 May 98 amended Arts 2 & 3 of Irish Constitution to reflect GFA on citizenship & consent.
GFA didn't make Irish citizens in North British for time-being.
Nor does it make British citizens Irish-in-waiting.
"Consent" does not impose on citizenship choice. 3/
GFA didn't make Irish citizens in North British for time-being.
Nor does it make British citizens Irish-in-waiting.
"Consent" does not impose on citizenship choice. 3/
Employers and employees- you are all on the same side on this one. You all need a healthy economy and stable political environment to thrive. The Single Market is the biggest trading bloc in the world and its cold outside believe me #R4OR #StopBrexit
The care sector is already fragile as hurt EU27 citizens have headed for the door to somewhere they are wanted. Even the government says Brexit will damage the care of our elderly and vulnerable #R4OR #StopTheCoup
The Home Secretary herself is seeking to have the decision that I am Irish - not British overturned
The Govt is represented by one of the most advanced constitutional lawyers in the UK
Their objective is to redefine the Good Friday Agreement & label all NI citizens as British
The Govt is represented by one of the most advanced constitutional lawyers in the UK
Their objective is to redefine the Good Friday Agreement & label all NI citizens as British
The British Government’s argument claims that there is an "important distinction" between identity & citizenship in the #GFA
That people born in Northern Ireland remain British citizens according to the law, even if they identify as Irish
bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northe…
That people born in Northern Ireland remain British citizens according to the law, even if they identify as Irish
bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northe…
We believe there is no distinction, that the people of Northern Ireland have a constitutional right to choose whether they are Irish or British or both under Article 1 of the Good Friday Agreement and I've made my choice - I am Irish.
prospectmagazine.co.uk/politics/emma-…
prospectmagazine.co.uk/politics/emma-…
As our case creeps closer so does those who would seek to undermine our case, character & motivations
Here's a little debunking of their favourite fabrications
1) I "got an Irish passport just to apply for this visa" I got my Irish passport 6 years before I met my husband 1/18
Here's a little debunking of their favourite fabrications
1) I "got an Irish passport just to apply for this visa" I got my Irish passport 6 years before I met my husband 1/18
"It's a political stunt" It's a court case asking the British government to accept me as an Irish citizen & to stablise my husband’s immigration status. We had applied, appealed & been in the immigration system for 18 months before we spoke to any politician or the media. 2/
"We wanted to avail of the more liberal EU rules" There's 2 options lads, spouse of a British citizen or an EEA residence card for the spouse of an EU national - guess which one is for Irish citizens? This was not an attempt to circumvent the immigration rules 3/
I'm seeing a lot of misinformation regarding life in NI in regards to Brexit & the backstop etc & my experiences of being in England reinforce this fact. So strap in, or on, I'm not here to judge, & I'll take you on a tour of growing up in NI from a Catholic pov (aged 39 & 3/4s)
1. There was, most definitely, a hard border in NI. Crossing that border meant being stopped, almost always being questioned & sometimes being searched (if they didn't like the look of you, were bored or suspected you of being a criminal). The military were very obviously armed!
2. The reason we don't have this hard border now is thanks to the Good Friday Agreement, a very hard fought for peace agreement that isn't perfect but involves compromise on both sides. This means a lot of property has been built astride this border #GFA
Thread.
#ireland #brexi
Having spent an hour tring to explain what's happening here to a #Brexit person in #England I'm now convinced that we are in serious trouble /1
#ireland #gfa
#ireland #brexi
Having spent an hour tring to explain what's happening here to a #Brexit person in #England I'm now convinced that we are in serious trouble /1
#ireland #gfa
I don't believe that most people who voted leave have any malign intent towards us. I'm not a fan of the EU myself. Still less do I think its an England/Ireland thing, I was born in England, I was schooled there & my partner is English /2
But there is a yawning gap of comprehension about the troubles & what it took to stop it. /3
@sajidjavid has entered the tories leadership race. As Home Secretary he has consistently & actively disregarded the Good Friday Agreement - he has ignored all correspondence from myself & senior political figures & continues to try to tear up the #GFA theguardian.com/commentisfree/…
In September 2018, immigration practitioner’s, politicians, NGOs and families directly affected by the total disregard for our rights under the #GFA wrote directly to the Home Secretary @sajidjavid
We never received a response - instead his dept has denied Irish citizens rights.
We never received a response - instead his dept has denied Irish citizens rights.
Immigration solicitor to @sajidjavid in Sept "During my time as an immigration solicitor in NI I have seen again & again how the rights of Irish citizens in NI are treated as lesser or simply ignored by the UK Government.
"The Home Office routinely chooses to ignore the #GFA"
"The Home Office routinely chooses to ignore the #GFA"
BXP has no manifesto, no detailed policies & no plan for #Brexit (no, "just walk away" isn't a serious plan outside of a pub!)
Why are people willing to vote for a shady outfit that isn't a party, has dodgy finances & will likely adopt #UKIP's *no work* habit?
#EUelections2019
Why are people willing to vote for a shady outfit that isn't a party, has dodgy finances & will likely adopt #UKIP's *no work* habit?
#EUelections2019
What's more, BXP now say they want to run in the next GE, even though the leader admits #Brexit isn't the answer to any of our domestic problems — you know, all those problems Leave voters thought Brexit was going to fix.
#EUelections2019
#EUelections2019
Somehow it feels like this is all about the salary and perks for some of the BXP's candidates, and that they're not taking the business of representing our country in an international forum seriously - as indeed those who were previously part of UKIP never have.
#EUelections2019
#EUelections2019
Thread: We have been given the Home Office grounds of appeal in our case.
On June 5th the Home Office will argue that the birthright provisions of the Good Friday Agreement are not in domestic UK law and are therefore unable to be enforced. #WeAreIrishtoo #sorryladsimirish
On June 5th the Home Office will argue that the birthright provisions of the Good Friday Agreement are not in domestic UK law and are therefore unable to be enforced. #WeAreIrishtoo #sorryladsimirish
The Home Office will argue that under the BNA 1981 I am a British citizen regardless of the Good Friday Agreement and that the UKG does not have to uphold it's obligations to an international agreement unless its been passed by Parliament & implemented into UK legislation.
They will argue that the courts do not have the power to force the government to uphold its commitments and obligations to the Good Friday Agreement or any international agreement.
#WeAreIrishtoo #Brexit
#WeAreIrishtoo #Brexit
Now here's a thing.
In fact, 5 things that the UK would do well sit up and pay heed to. As soon as possible.
They arise from the current visit of Speaker Pelosi & the congressional delegation.
#Brexit #FTA #GFA
1/6
In fact, 5 things that the UK would do well sit up and pay heed to. As soon as possible.
They arise from the current visit of Speaker Pelosi & the congressional delegation.
#Brexit #FTA #GFA
1/6
1. Soft power works,
& Ireland has it by the bucketload when it comes to the US.
The combination of diasporic heritage + sense of moral achievement in @BelfastAgmt is hard to beat.
Congressman Richie Neal described entering the room in Belfast like a 'high school reunion'.
2/6
& Ireland has it by the bucketload when it comes to the US.
The combination of diasporic heritage + sense of moral achievement in @BelfastAgmt is hard to beat.
Congressman Richie Neal described entering the room in Belfast like a 'high school reunion'.
2/6
2. There is a strong US sense of ownership of @BelfastAgmt.
As Richie Neal put it to the audience in Belfast: "It is our agreement too."
And they recognise the GFA is not just a domestic concern.
Pelosi noted at the same event "what it means to the world as an example".
3/6
As Richie Neal put it to the audience in Belfast: "It is our agreement too."
And they recognise the GFA is not just a domestic concern.
Pelosi noted at the same event "what it means to the world as an example".
3/6
This is a super #Thread on the state of citizens rights & the Good Friday Agreement in Northern Ireland
The birthright provision, to be accepted as Irish or British or both has yet to be implemented by the UK Government
Creating two tiers of Irish citizens #WeAreIrishtoo
The birthright provision, to be accepted as Irish or British or both has yet to be implemented by the UK Government
Creating two tiers of Irish citizens #WeAreIrishtoo
1/ I am an Irish national born in Northern Ireland, Irish by birth & Irish under the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement. I do not hold a British passport yet in 2016 I was told by the UK Home Office that I am automatically British by birth & I'd be unable to secure my husband’s status
2/ The dept suggested I renounce British citizenship in order to rely on my Irish citizenship, if I did so my husband would be able to remain in Northern Ireland as the spouse of an EU national. Under the #GFA we have the right to be accepted as Irish - not British, we appealed
@DominicRaab To help you get through the Belfast Agreement, here it is one tweet at a time. #GFA
DECLARATION OF SUPPORT
1. We, the participants in the multi-party negotiations, believe that the
agreement we have negotiated offers a truly historic opportunity for a new
beginning.
DECLARATION OF SUPPORT
1. We, the participants in the multi-party negotiations, believe that the
agreement we have negotiated offers a truly historic opportunity for a new
beginning.
2. The tragedies of the past have left a deep and profoundly regrettable
legacy of suffering. We must never forget those who have died or been
injured, and their families. But we can best honour them through a fresh
start, in which we firmly dedicate ourselves ...
legacy of suffering. We must never forget those who have died or been
injured, and their families. But we can best honour them through a fresh
start, in which we firmly dedicate ourselves ...
...to the achievement of reconciliation, tolerance, and mutual trust, and to the protection and vindication of the human rights of all.
1. Lord Bew’s assertion that the ‘backstop’ is a only a ruse ‘to protect the economy of the Irish Republic’ is deeply insulting to Irish pols’ concerns about Brexit’s effect on the peace process, the Good Friday Agreement #r4today @nealerichmond /
policyexchange.org.uk/wp-content/upl…
policyexchange.org.uk/wp-content/upl…
He also wants Strand 2 of the #GFA - north-south - to trump Strand 3: the relationship beteeen the British-Irish Governments. Since the UK, not NI, is the Member State that negotiators the WA in Brussels, Stormont is suspended for more than 2 years, that is quite bizarre.
3. Nobody in Dublin wants to use an NI backstop. A UK-wide agreeement with the EU is vital. NI makes up only a very small part of Irish trade - EU and GB are crucial. Moreover, the Backstop gives NI a major advantage over ROI if GB waives tariffs for NI commerce. No cynical ploy.
As one involved in negotiation of #GFA (dealing with all parties not just one) I have to refute this misconstrued "Fundamental" @TomMcTague & L Bew. Anxious about "top-down imposition" & GFA's delicacy? Why blindly uphold imposing convulsive Brexit on NI that voted Remain? /1
I would not pretend the backstop fully protects #GFA. (It is mitigation/insurance & wouldn't make up existing GFA deficits eg Rights). But given the impulses & ignorance shown in London's chaotic approaches to date noone should pretend that GFA would be upheld without it. /2
I am disappointed that Lord Bew invokes "all parties" in such a tendentious appraisal. His own top-down imposition on us? Other parties have shown more consistent adherence to letter & spirit of GFA than L Trimble & have well-founded different views on Brexit & backstop. /3
(Thread) Concern & unrest grows over citizenship rights in Northern Ireland, amplified with the Brexit deadline approaching & furthered by the inability of the UK Home Office to adhere to legislation, current international law & the UK governments commitments to the #GFA
Politicians, immigration practitioner’s, academics and Irish citizens wrote to both @sajidjavid & @simoncoveney about these concerns. Letters that were delivered collectively on September 11th. No response has been received from either party to date.
Those who wrote personal statements are Irish citizens, born in Northern Ireland, having their Irish citizenship questioned or stripped by the UK Home Office. They sought assistance from their government, the Irish government, which has a duty of care to all of us in the North.
Brexiters stress Supreme Court verdict that consent in #GFA only re UK v UI vote & not Brexit. Insisted no devolved consent re Withdrawal Act. But now pretend that EU-Ireland #backstop terms for Brexit compatibility with GFA (as consented N&S) would violate consent principle.
Soaking up some very sobering info this afternoon at 'The Future of UK #Borders after #Brexit' organised by the indefatigable @hayward_katy in assoc w/ @UKandEU, @FortinusGlobal, @ShankerASingham. Invaluable research & policy engagement - nice work @QUBEngagement #Impact
Hayward poses key qs for us in NI in these precarious times - neither of which glean clear answer: (1) what opportunities does #Brexit offer NI? (2) what cost is British Govt prepared to incur for #Brexit - when polls indicate maj GB indifference to hard border,collapse of peace?
Personal opinion incoming:
I’ve previously said I think #Brexit is a moral, ethical, economic, social, & cultural crisis. I generally refrain from nailing my political colours to the post publicly, but the seriousness of the negative impacts of this ‘project’ are exceptional...
I’ve previously said I think #Brexit is a moral, ethical, economic, social, & cultural crisis. I generally refrain from nailing my political colours to the post publicly, but the seriousness of the negative impacts of this ‘project’ are exceptional...
