Despite the hopes raised by the 1998 peace agreement, a recent report highlights that segregation in Northern Ireland remains deeply rooted. The division between republican Catholics and loyalist Protestants remains, leading to inter-community discrimination, even in schools today. It’s a situation that often goes unnoticed, but one that permeates daily life in Northern Ireland.
A recent report reveals a worrying situation in Northern Ireland. It would appear that inter-community segregation is still recurring, despite the easing of the conflict since 1998.
The “peace walls” erected to separate the Catholic and Protestant communities are still in place, particularly in Belfast, where some 97 of these barriers remain.
These structures, some over 7 meters high and stretching for 13 km, continue to divide the city, with gates closed every night to maintain the separation.
In 2013, the Northern Irish government pledged to dismantle the walls by 2023. However, only a few projects have been initiated, reflecting the slow pace of the reconciliation process.
Segregation also extends to the education system, where 90% of Catholic and Protestant children attend separate schools. Here, people don’t mix, and each Northern Irishman lives in a closed environment, within his or her own community.
Political tensions, exacerbated by Brexit and the prolonged absence of local government, further complicate the situation. Despite a notable reduction in violence since the peace agreement, Northern Irish society remains marked by deep divisions, making the end of segregation still a long way off.
More news
