Member's statement: United Nations International Day of Peace: Palestine
Member's statement by Mrs Ciara Ferguson on .
- MLA
- Mrs Ciara Ferguson
- Party at the time
- Sinn Féin
- Date
- 21 September 2026
- Type
- Member's statement
- Business
- Members' Statements
- Heading
- United Nations International Day of Peace: Palestine
- Assembly identifier
- Official Report component 5741784
Read the official Assembly record
Text
Today marks the United Nations International Day of Peace. In this society, we all know too well the value of peace and the Good Friday Agreement, all parts of which must be protected and upheld. We also know that peace requires continual, inclusive dialogue, the safeguarding of international law and human rights, and the promotion of Irish neutrality.
Ireland must continue to stand for peace, diplomacy and international law in an increasingly dangerous world. Today, more than five million Palestinians live under occupation, denied fundamental rights and subjected to devastating violence, displacement and dehumanisation. On this International Day of Peace, we must be clear that there can be no meaningful peace without justice, freedom and dignity for the Palestinian people.
In Derry, four people have now been convicted and fined for taking part in a peaceful but unnotified procession in solidarity with Palestine. Whatever about the notification issues, criminalising people for participating in peaceful protests raises serious questions about how we protect the fundamental right to peaceful assembly and expression. The campaign in support of Palestine must intensify. The democratic and human rights of the Palestinian people must be recognised and upheld, and the international community must act in good faith to secure a just and lasting peace. I acknowledge all those in our communities who continue to raise their voice for Palestine and artists including Macklemore, Kneecap and CMAT who have used their platform to strengthen public solidarity. No person should be punished simply for using their voice in peaceful protests, pickets or performances in support of the rights of the Palestinian people. Justice is the soul of peace, and when people harness their voice, powerful things can happen. If the UN International Day of Peace is to mean anything, Palestinians must be allowed to live free from occupation, in freedom, dignity and peace.
305 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.
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