A NEW peace declaration demanding that the executive and Irish and British governments reject any plans to allow arms manufacturers to establish in Ireland is to be launched today.
The `Downpatrick Declaration' will be launched tonight by Nobel peace laureate, Mairéad Maguire in the Co Down town, coinciding with the 1,500th anniversary of the birth of St Colmcille.
Campaigners chosen the town because it honours Ireland’s three patron saints, Patrick, Brigid and Colmcille.
The declaration demands that the Good Friday Agreement commitment to “exclusively democratic and peaceful means” and its opposition to any use or threat of force be honoured.
Peace campaigners are also demanding that the Irish government honours Article 29 of the constitution, promoting the ideal of peace and friendly cooperation among nations.
Spokesman, Joe Murray said the declaration was in response to the “current drive for expanding weapons production” in both parts of Ireland.
Mr Murray said the Irish government recently held a public webinar to increase arms production as a “basis for a sustainable economy in the future”.
The declaration has already been signed by several high-profile figures, including former UN Assistant Secretary General Denis J Halliday, Children in Crossfire founder Richard Moore, singer, Tommy Sands and artist Rita Duffy.
Mr Murray said: “These commitments are not the musing of some niche group of peaceniks; they are a profound statement of who we are and a binding practical promise of how we will relate to the wider world.
"Where once it seemed the establishment motto was ‘Don’t mention the war’, we now have leaders in both parts of this island who are quite happy to plan and arm for global wars but frightened by the challenges of peace."
