Draft:Good Friday Agreement
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Ravishing guide to U.K. Politics |
God Save the King? |
The Good Friday Agreement (GFA), also known as the Belfast Agreement, was an agreement which helped bring thirty years of conflict in Northern Ireland (known as "The Troubles") to an end. It was signed on 10 April 1998 by the British and Irish governments, as well as most political parties in Northern Ireland. In simple terms, the agreement was a way to find a peaceful resolution to the long-standing disputes between those who wanted Northern Ireland to remain part of the United Kingdom and those who wanted it to become part of a united Ireland.[1]
The key points of the agreement included:
- Power-sharing: The agreement established the Northern Ireland Assembly, a devolved government in Northern Ireland, where political power is shared between unionist and nationalist parties.
- Decommissioning of weapons: It required paramilitary groups, such as the IRA and the UVF, to decommission their weapons.
- Human rights: The agreement emphasised the importance of human rights and established a framework for their protection in Northern Ireland.
- Cross-border cooperation: It enhanced cooperation between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, allowing for easier movement and cooperation on various issues.[2]
References[edit]
- ↑ Good Friday Agreement: What is it?, BBC News
- ↑ Main points of Northern Ireland's Good Friday Agreement, France24.