Photo : REUTERS/John Sibley
IN FOCUS
By Joeana Cera Matthews
Northern Ireland and Bloody Sunday: 50 years later
On 30 January, Northern Ireland commemorated the 50th anniversary of the Bloody Sunday massacre. Termed by BBC as one of the “darkest days of the Northern Ireland Troubles,” it is also considered one of the worst conflicts to have occurred between Northern Ireland's Catholic nationalists and the British-loyal Protestant unionists. While the former wanted a united Ireland, the latter did not. Also called the “Bogside Massacre,” the massacre eventually led to the instalment of the Bloody Sunday Monument at the site where the incident happened.
The Bloody Sunday massacre: A background
On 30 January 1972, Sunday, a civil rights march was organized by the Northern Ireland Civil Rights Association. It was in opposition to Catholic nationalists being detained without a trial. There was a ban on protests; nonetheless, 15000 protesters took to the streets and marched towards the city centre from the Creggan area of Londonderry (Derry). As army barricades blocked the marchers, many of them were redirected. Meanwhile, youths began pelting stones at the barricade, forcing the troops to engage. Following a minor skirmish, 13 people were killed while 15 were injured due to the soldiers open-firing.
The incident caused a huge uproar in Derry with the British Embassy in Dublin being set on fire by an aggravated crowd. The very next day, an inquiry was declared, termed the Widgery Tribunal as it was led by Lord Widgery, to probe into the issue. The inquiry depended on the soldiers’ account who maintained that they aimed elsewhere and not at the protestors; the victims’ families, however, refuse this account.
The Bloody Sunday led to increased recruitment to the Provisional Irish Republican Army (IRA), which fought against terror in Northern Ireland. Eventually, these developments led to the signing of the Good Friday Agreement in 1998. During the same year, a second inquiry headed by Lord Saville began on the Bloody Sunday massacre.
Finally, in 2010, the inquiry concluded that the killings were “unjustified and unjustifiable”. The UK government apologized for the loss of lives and the administration’s denial of their responsibility.
Remembering 30 January 1972
Since 1972, there have been yearly memorial services commemorating the lives lost during the incident. This year’s service saw families of the victims retracing the path of the 1972 civil rights march through the Derry. It was also characterized by crowds lining up the streets, supporting these families as they walked to the Bloody Sunday Monument. Children tagged along holding white roses and portraits of the victims.
For the first time ever, an Irish premier, Taoiseach Micheál Martin, participated in the memorial service. After a private meeting with the victims’ relatives, Martin assured: “I believe that the full process and justice of the courts should be deployed… It is important because time is moving on too for many, many families, and families need closure." However, the families of the victims remain infuriated by the fact that no one was held accountable or convicted for the murders.
Meanwhile, the massacre also influenced culture. Musicians U2, Bono and The Edge released a song on the day called “Sunday Bloody Sunday,” which later on became quite popular. On the anniversary, an acoustic version of the same was released. The commemoration also witnessed an actor from a TV drama hosting a music and poetry performance which, according to Deutsche Welle, “involved the choral rendition of the US civil rights anthem "We Shall Overcome".”
On 29 January, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson stated in Parliament that the massacre was "one of the darkest days in our history" and called on the country to learn from its past. It is as Fintan O’Toole, a columnist from The Irish Times, states: “Bloody Sunday, the 10-minute massacre that lasted decades.”
References:
“Northern Ireland marks 50th anniversary of Bloody Sunday massacre,” Euronews, 31 January 2022.
“Northern Ireland marks 50 years since Bloody Sunday,” Deutsche Welle, 30 January 2022.
“Bloody Sunday: What happened on Sunday 30 January 1972?,” BBC, 27 January 2022.
Fintan O’Toole, “Fintan O'Toole: Bloody Sunday, the 10-minute massacre that lasted decades,” The Irish Times, 22 January 2022.
IN BRIEF
By Padmashree Anandhan and Ashwin Dhanabalan
GERMANY
Annalena Baerbock visits Ukraine again
On 07 February, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock travelled to Ukraine as tensions rose at the Ukrainian border. In the press conference, Baerbock said that Germany was in favour of paying a high economic price if sanctions were to be imposed on Russia. The visit highlighted the talks on arms exports and Germany’s intent to levy sanctions on Russia, but only upon invasion. Germany has been constantly refusing the supply of weapons to Ukraine as it fears escalations of conflict. (“Baerbock: Germany 'ready to pay high economic price' for Ukraine peace,” Deutsche Welle, 07 February 2022)
GREECE
Agricultural Minister resigns over controversial comments
On 08 February, Greece's Agricultural Minister Spilios Livanos resigned after making unacceptable comments on compensation for natural disasters. Livanos admitted his mistake and offered to resign, according to a government statement. Euronews reported: "Footage appeared to show minister Spilios Livanos laughing after a local party official suggested that compensation payments for natural disasters could help win votes." The Greek conservative government was called out for its inaction to prepare for the heavy snowfall that had disrupted power and left motorists stranded on the roads for several hours. ("'Unacceptable comments': Greek minister dismissed over natural disaster compensation remarks," Euronews, 07 February 2022)
REGIONAL
Maastricht Treaty turns 30
On 07 February, the Maastricht Treaty, also known as the Treaty on European Union, turned 30. The treaty was signed in Maastricht on 07 February 1992, which led to a significant step in European integration. The treaty states: "This Treaty marks a new stage in the process of creating an ever closer union among the peoples of Europe, in which decisions are taken as closely as possible to the citizen." The treaty emerged at a crucial point in history, as reported by Euronews: "the Berlin Wall had fallen, the Soviet Union had collapsed and liberal democracy had reached its peak of popularity." 30 years since the treaty was signed has brought light on the current challenges in Europe and the future of European integration. ("Maastricht Treaty at 30: Pandemic brings unanswered questions back to the fore," Euronews, 07 February 2022)
The Eastern flank of NATO receives troops from Germany and the UK
On 07 February, Germany and the UK announced to send additional troops to reinforce NATO battle groups in Eastern Europe. German Defence Minister Christine Lambrecht said: "The Bundeswehr is sending 350 additional soldiers to the battle group in Lithuania." She further commented: "We are thus strengthening our contribution in terms of forces on NATO's eastern flank and sending a clear signal of determination to our allies." The UK also sent a contingent of 350 soldiers to the battle group in Poland. The UK Defence Minister Ben Wallace said: "showing that we can work together and sending a strong signal that Britain and Poland stand side by side."("Ukraine crisis: Germany and UK send hundreds of extra soldiers to NATO's eastern flank," Euronews, 07 February 2022)
NATO aims to position military longer in Eastern Europe
On 07 February, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg disclosed the plans of NATO, which is looking to position its military on a longer term in the eastern Europe to keep up the defense. According to him: “We are considering more longer-term adjustments to our posture, our presence in the eastern part of the alliance. No final decision has been made on that but there is a process now going on within NATO.” Recently, NATO defence ministers who will be meeting soon to converse on the reinforcements on 16 to 17 February. The western powers have pressured Russia to remove the troops from Ukraine. (“NATO mulls longer-term military posture in eastern Europe, Stoltenberg says,”) Deutsche Welle, 07 February 2022
INTERNATIONAL
French President Macron visits Moscow
On 07 February, French President Emmanuel Macron met his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin in Moscow to discuss tensions over Ukraine. Macron initiated the meeting, saying: "This discussion can make a start in the direction in which we need to go, which is toward a de-escalation." He further mentioned how Putin had assured him of continuing engagement diplomatically and indicated a desire to maintain the stability and territorial integrity of Ukraine. Putin commented: "A number of his ideas, proposals, which are probably still too early to talk about, I think it is quite possible to make the basis of our further joint steps." Putin also mentioned that he would call and speak to Macron after the latter visits Ukraine. ("Putin says some of Macron's ideas could form basis to move forward," Reuters, 08 February 2022; "Ukraine crisis: Putin says Macron made 'realistic' proposals," Deutsche Welle, 07 February 2022)
Biden warns to bring the Nord Stream 2 pipeline to end if Russia invades
On 07 February, US President Joe Biden warned that the Nord Stream 2 pipeline project will not advance if Russia launched an invasion. The warning comes after the German Chancellor Olaf Scholz made his first visit to the US. When it comes to the pipeline, both the US and Germany have been in disagreement. Biden said: “There will no longer be a Nord Stream 2. We will bring an end to it. I promise you we'll be able to do that.” According to Scholz: “ We will take all necessary steps. You can be sure there won't be any measures on which we have a differing approach. We will act together jointly.” (“Biden promises no Nord Stream 2 if Russia invades Ukraine,” Deutsche Welle, 07 February 2022)
Separatists group leader warns of a full-scale war
On 07 February, the head of the breakaway Donetsk People's Republic, Denis Pushilin said that his forces will turn in support in case of full-scale war that might break out. The separatists group has been backed by Russia, but the leader indicated that in terms of weaponry, air defences and drones, the group lacked at large. He said: “First of all we rely on ourselves, but we do not rule out that we will be forced to turn to Russia if Ukraine, with the support of Western countries, passes a certain line.” (Anton Zverev, “Separatist leader says full-scale war in east Ukraine could break out any time,” Reuters, 07 February 2022)