Mairead Maguire speaking earlier today at the International Women's Peace Symposium in Pyongyang
Dear
Friends,
Good
Morning – Jo-eun-achim-imnida
I
believe passionately in the power of women as peacebuilders because I have
witnessed their power of nonviolent love in action. In l976 when Northern Ireland was on the brink of civil war, it
was the civil community, particularly women, who marched in their thousands
against the ongoing violence, and articulated a clear moral message ‘stop the
violence, stop the killing, there is another way to solve our problems’.
When
my sister Anne’s three children were killed in ‘the
troubles’ in August, l976, their deaths, preceded as they were by thousands of
violent deaths, touched the conscience of us all. Many people realized violence
was wrong, life was sacred, and indeed we each had a right not to be killed and
a responsibility not to kill each other. There was also an acknowledgement that
violence was fuelling retaliatory violence and deepening the fear and anger in
the community. Something had to break
this vicious downward cycle, of killing and destruction.
It
was the civil community, particularly women, who by articulating ethical and
moral values, and by calling on everyone including the political leaders and
governments, faith and spiritual leaders, paramilitary groups, to take up their
responsibility, unambiguously reject all violence, and begin, through dialogue to solve the problems faced by the Northern
Irish people.
There
was an acknowledgement by all parties, both state and non-state actors, that
militarism and paramilitarism could not solve the deeply complex, historical,
ethnic, political problems, which the Northern Irish people had inherited. Indeed for every bullet fired, bomb
exploded, civil and political rights curtailed, there was a violent reaction.
Women, many of whom experienced at first hand horrific violence, raised their
voices and mobilized to end the war. They started to make space to create the
critical will of the political leaders and paramilitaries to enter into genuine
dialogue, diplomacy, compromise and co-operation. Women insisted that violent begets violence and this included
violent rhetoric and a demonization of each other. They acknowledged that we
needed to start peacebuilding in our own hearts, homes, communities, schools,
and to teach peace, nonviolence and conflict resolution. The task of building a culture of nonkilling
and nonviolence and changing the mindsets of militarism and war, was taken up by many people as they embraced a
new consciousness of respect for each other, diversity, and the environment.
In
a divided society, such as Northern Ireland, where there was a great deal of
fear and anxiety, and where identities are changing, people are often
traumatized by separation, isolation, and they
lack confidence and belief in
themselves and each other. Therefore it is not enough to insist only on
dialogue, courageous and risk-taking efforts must be made, by both people – and
particularly by political leaders – to
open the paths to dialogue. In Northern Ireland in order to give people a
chance to talk, and to listen to each other, women/men/youth helped to set up
hundreds of peace groups. They travelled across Northern Ireland, setting up
exchanges and discussing how to cross the emotional/religious/political divides
and how to build a just, equal, and peaceful Northern Ireland.
They
also travelled across the border to the Republic of Ireland to build links,
cultural exchanges, economic co-operation. In the North of Ireland, women
visited the prisoners and families who had lost loved ones during ‘the
troubles.’ Their focus was on forgiveness and reconciliation, realizing
that forgiveness is the key to peace. When the peace process was
happening in Northern Ireland women played a critical and decisive role at the
negotiating table, insisting on all inclusive, unconditional talks and bringing
difficult issues, such as demilitarization, prisoners’ rights, equality and
minority rights, to the power sharing negotiations. We have been blessed to see an end to the Northern Irish violent
conflict, but acknowledge too that post-conflict peacebuilding is a work in
progress.
I
pray this story gives hope, and helps to deepen your confidence, courage and
conviction that peace is possible. Indeed, it is a basic human right and a
concrete step to ending the suffering.
In North Korea, we are conscious that you and your families have
suffered so much, and I am truly sorry for this. Our delegation have come on this visit, to both North and South
Korea, and to walka cross the De-Militarized Zone as we want to tell you that
we love you, we care for you all, and we join in solidarity with you and your
work to end the Korean war, unite Korean families, and bring more women into
the peace process and negotiating table for a peace treaty.
President
Obama said recently in response to the opening up of diplomatic relations with
USA/Cuba, '50 ears of isolation for Cuba has not worked', e hope he will also
say that '70 years of isolation for North Korea has not worked, and it’s time to end the war, time for peace’. Such
visionary political leadership would not only give hope to the Korean people as
they build a nonkilling peaceful Korea, but also to the whole world that
disarmament and peace is possible through diplomacy, not war.
Thank
you – gamsa-hamnida
Peace
and happiness to you all –
pyongwha-rul-derimnida.
Mairead
Maguire