Afri Condemns Latest Betrayal of Neutrality by Irish Government

Afri

Afri joins with the broad range of peace groups in roundly condemning the latest move by the Government to involve Ireland further in NATO’s proxy war in Ukraine, against the letter of our Constitution (Art 29) and against the expressed will of the Irish people. Afri is appalled at the arrogance of this government and the contempt that it shows for the views of the majority of Irish people.

In its recent ‘Consultative Forum’, assurances were given that Ireland would not formally join NATO but this is shown to be no more than empty rhetoric given that we are involved in doing almost all that NATO membership would entail. Given the proud record of former Fianna Fáil Minister Frank Aiken in promoting peace and disarmament Micheál Martin should hang his head in shame for his utter betrayal of this policy and his willingness to jump to the command of the pushers of war in Europe. Given that war presents the greatest threat to the survival of our planet, the Green Party’s collusion in this policy makes a mockery of any proposals they make regarding tackling global warming and climate change.

Afri

We are sad to hear the news of the untimely death of Sinéad O’Connor and we extend our sincere sympathy to Sinéad’s family and friends. We fondly remember her contribution to our Féile Bríde gathering in 1995, the beginning of the 150th Anniversary of the commemoration of An Gorta Mór.

She performed her song ‘Famine’, a word which she used, appropriately in inverted commas, with its powerful lyrics:

And if there ever is gonna be healing
There has to be remembering and then grieving
So that there then can be forgiving
There has to be knowledge and understanding.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a h-anam

Mary Minehan and Sinéad O’Connor at Féile Bríde in Kildare in 1995. Photos by Derek Speirs.

“A Force For Good? Reflections On Irish Neutrality” Documentary

Afri

In the wake of the Irish Government’s imbalanced, ‘Consultative Forum on International Security Policy’ this film provides a vital contribution to the discussion on the importance of Irish neutrality and its role as the bedrock of Irish foreign and defence policy. Even today – especially today – as war rages in so many areas around the world and as two nuclear armed ‘superpowers’ actively engage in a proxy war, the world urgently needs voices calling for, and countries working towards, de-escalation, demilitarization and disarmament.

Ireland should be that voice! A Force For Good ?

Online book link: https://www.afri.ie/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Irish-Neutrality-WEB.pdf

Neutrality Or NATO – an online book launch & conversation

Afri

The online launch of A Force for Good? Reflections on Neutrality and the Future of Irish Defence took place on Tuesday, June 20th 2023. The book is  a collection of essays by people with long and deep experience of working for peace and against militarism on this island and in the wider world.

Contributors include Nobel Peace Prizewinner Máiréad Maguire; Thomas Pringle TD; UCC Emeritus Professor John Maguire; Dr Karen Devine of DCU; Carol Fox of the Peace and Neutrality Alliance; and Tarak Kauff, former paratrooper with the US Army and now active member of Veterans for Peace.

The book is available from Afri for €10, including postage.

 

 

Afri Applauds President’s statement on Ireland’s drift towards NATO

Afri

The Dublin-based Justice and Peace group Afri welcomes the pertinent comments of President Michael D. Higgins on the drift towards NATO.  We share the concerns of so many citizens and groups at the recent distortion of our foreign and defence policies.  These concerns have been sharpened by the inappropriate structure and purpose of the forthcoming ‘Consultative Forum on International Security’. Continue reading “Afri Applauds President’s statement on Ireland’s drift towards NATO” →

Peace Cannot be Discussed

Afri

I have just returned from Vienna where I attended a very important event entitled ‘International summit for Peace in Ukraine’, which was organised by the International Peace Bureau and a range of other Peace groups such as the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom. Sean MacBride was a former President of the International Peace Bureau and I myself was a Board member for a three-year period. Continue reading “Peace Cannot be Discussed” →

Neutrality or NATO? Online book Launch and Conversation

Afri

Join us for the launch of A Force for Good? Reflections on Neutrality and the Future of Irish Defence taking place online on Tuesday, June 20th, at 11am. Register here

The first meeting of the Government’s ‘Consultative Forum on International Security’ will take place in UCC on June 22nd, and Afri is warning that there’s a real risk of Ireland further compromising our neutrality and getting dragged into NATO without the consent of the Irish people. Continue reading “Neutrality or NATO? Online book Launch and Conversation” →

CONSULTATIVE FORUM ON INTERNATIONAL SECURITY POLICY IS ANTI-DEMOCRATIC

Afri

STATEMENT FROM PRO-NEUTRALITY GROUPS:
AFRI (ACTION FROM IRELAND) • CORK NEUTRALITY LEAGUE • FOYLE ETHICAL INVESTMENT CAMPAIGN GALWAY ALLIANCE AGAINST WAR • INNATE (IRISH NETWORK FOR NON-VIOLENT ACTION TRAINING) IRISH ANTI-WAR MOVEMENT • IRISH NEUTRALITY LEAGUE • PEACE & NEUTRALITY ALLIANCE SHANNONWATCH • SWORDS TO PLOUGHSHARES • WORLD BEYOND WAR, IRELAND Continue reading “CONSULTATIVE FORUM ON INTERNATIONAL SECURITY POLICY IS ANTI-DEMOCRATIC” →

Reflections from Afri’s 35th Famine Walk

Afri

The 35th annual Famine Walk took place via the Doolough Valley in County Mayo on Saturday, May 20th. Renowned singer turned Independent Senator Frances Black, was among this year’s walk leaders.  A strong advocate for social justice, Senator Black is the first female Independent from the Seanad’s panel system in the history of the state. Frances is the founder of the RISE Foundation and also the Chairperson and a founder member of the recently launched Irish Anti-Apartheid Campaign for Palestine.

Continue reading “Reflections from Afri’s 35th Famine Walk” →