The recent resurgence of headlines concerning Northern Ireland has brought attention back to the forefront. This once-diverse land, which had experienced years of relative peace, is now grappling with a reemergence of sectarian violence. The unravelling of this tranquility is intertwined with the UK’s departure from the EU and the strains imposed by the Covid-19 pandemic. What assumptions underlie the understanding of relations between Protestants and Catholics in Northern Ireland, particularly in the context of the Belfast Agreement and the historical partition of Ireland? Furthermore, what do the renewed tensions in Northern Ireland indicate about the current state of sectarian dynamics in the region?
The difference between supporters and opponents of joining the EU
Northern Ireland sectarian tensions have increased. Indeed, after over two decades, they show that the old conflicts between a predominantly Catholic side that wants the land to remain part of Ireland and a predominantly Protestant side that wants to remain part of the UK still have considerable power to flare up. Has Northern Ireland sectarian tensions can be dangerous for British political sovereignty?
British rule over Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is an area of 5,400 square miles with a population of approximately 2 million people and is located under British rule in the northeast of the island of Ireland. This country has a border with the Republic of Ireland from the south and west and the east through the Irish Sea, which is separated from the rest of Great Britain.
Political laws governing Ireland
Ireland became self-governing 100 years ago after centuries of British rule. However, the country was established a few years after the First World War in a treaty that created greater Irish sovereignty over most of the island, when it was agreed that a majority Catholic country would be avoided and Protestants would have the upper hand. Ultimately, this northern region remained part of the UK, with a Protestant-dominated police force and local government.
The partition of Ireland is the source of sectarian violence.
The partition of Ireland was the source of one of the most violent and enduring sectarian violence of the 20th century, pitting Catholics and groups opposed to British rule, including the Irish Republican Army, against Protestants who were pro-British forces. Nearly 3,600 people have been killed in the decades of conflict in Northern Ireland, referred to as troubles.
The end of tensions with the Belfast Agreement
But what ended the conflict was an agreement known as the Belfast Agreement, also known as the Good Friday Agreement (GFA), which was signed on April 10, 1998, by the British government, the Irish government, and the political parties of Northern Ireland, which All violent conflict ended. The accord established a self-governing parliament to distribute power between Protestants and Catholics equitably, fostering collaboration between Northern Ireland and Ireland.
The threat of the Belfast agreement with Brexit
In this agreement, former enemies disarmed and agreed to resolve their problems peacefully. The agreement also allows residents of Northern Ireland to obtain Irish or dual Irish-British citizenship. Britain’s departure from the EU has upset the political balance in Northern Ireland and threatens the foundations of the Good Friday Agreement.
Disruption in the export and import of goods with Brexit
Ireland is still a member of the EU, and Brexit has presented a new perspective to the region that disrupts the free flow of people and goods. Catholics outnumber Protestants for the first time in Northern Ireland’s history, a newly released census shows. The 2021 survey shows that 42.3% now identify as Catholic, while 37.3% identify as Protestant or other Christian faiths.
Population of Protestants and Catholics of Northern Ireland
In the last census in 2011, 45% of the population identified as Catholic and 48% as Protestant or other Christian faiths. In 2001, 53% of residents said they were Protestant and 44% Catholic. The turnaround in Northern Ireland, which began more than a century ago and suffered decades of sectarian violence at the end of the 20th century, is likely to encourage those pushing for reunification with the Irish Republic.
Northern Ireland’s religions clash over Brexit.
Protestants generally support Northern Ireland remaining part of the UK. At the same time, Catholics typically want closer relations with their southern neighbours. Calls to join Ireland and leave Britain fueled the violent clashes of The Troubles, which began in the late 1960s and killed around 3,600 people. The conflict ended with the Good Friday Agreement in 1998, which attempted to balance power between Catholics and Protestants.
The latest round of unrest in Northern Ireland
The latest round of unrest in Northern Ireland comes after more than two decades of peace and tranquillity in the country. This time, unlike many years ago, there is no news about the organization or the ideology of the struggle. Most of the rebels of April 2021 are young people. The spread of rioting in the streets of Belfast is so alarming that the USA, together with the leaders of Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland and the UK, have called for calm in this country.
European trade agreement
During the Brexit negotiations, the EU and the UK agreed that Northern Ireland would remain part of the European Single Market despite the separation of the UK. This agreement means that EU customs authorities will control goods imported from Great Britain to Northern Ireland at the gate of this country, and as such, there is no need for customs supervision between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. However, pro-monarchy Protestants are not at all satisfied with this agreement and say that the existence of EU customs inspections diminishes the role of this country in the UK.
Failure to improve relations between Protestants and Catholics
Recent trends in Protestant-Catholic relations indicate a need for improvement in the relations between the parties. Fewer people think that relations between Protestants and Catholics have improved. These findings are contained in the latest “Good Relations Indicator” report published by The Executive Office. Northern Ireland’s sectarian tensions have increased in a situation where the continuation of these conditions can cause a crisis again in the future.
A relative decline in the improvement of interfaith relations in Northern Ireland
In 2021, approximately 36% of adults and 27% of young individuals believed that relations between the two predominant sects in the region had improved over the past five years. The most recent Good Relationship Index report from The Executive Office reveals a decline in these figures compared to the previous report. In 2020, around 40% of adults and 44% of young people perceived improvements in relationships, while in 2019, similar sentiments were shared by 40% of adults and 44% of young individuals.
Continuation of tensions: Brexit is the cause of continuing disputes
Relations between the two major political-religious groups in Northern Ireland, namely the Catholic Unitarians and the Protestant Monarchists, have been tense for a long time, especially after the implementation of Brexit became more serious. The majority of the citizens of this country, a member of the UK, said “no” to the separation from the EU. The most critical challenge, as previously predicted, is the border perspective between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, which could violate the provisions of the Good Friday Agreement. This challenge is the main reason for the anger among the citizens of Northern Ireland.
