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Coventry Irish Society Eaton House (2 Floor) Eaton Road Coventry CV1 2FJ
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Coventry Irish Society are pleased to host a panel discussion to mark the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement (also known as the Belfast Agreement).
An overwhelming majority voted for the Good Friday Agreement on 22 May 1998. It is not only a legally binding international peace treaty registered at the United Nations, guaranteed by both the British and Irish governments, but it also underpins the political framework in Ireland.
The Good Friday Agreement guarantees human rights protections and equality. At the heart of the Agreement are principles of mutual respect for identity and parity of esteem.
The 2021 landmark successful discrimination appeal brought by the family of Margaret Keane, to overturn a decision to refuse an Irish-only inscription of love on a gravestone in Coventry, made submissions on the Good Friday Agreement and the importance of respect for identity and equality.
The family were represented by barristers, Caoilfhionn Gallagher KC and Mary-Rachel McCabe, of Doughty St Chambers, and solicitor, Caroline Brogan, of Irwin Mitchell, on a free of charge basis. The Arches Court of Canterbury at St Mary-le-Bow, London, held that the original decision of the Chancellor of Coventry was unreasonable under the common law, and in breach of the family’s right not to be discriminated against under the Human Rights Act and Article 14 of the European Convention on Human Rights.
The case was supported in Seanad Éireann and the House of Commons. It continues to receive widespread, significant, global support and has been back in the news recently after Fontaines D.C won International Group of the Year at this year’s Brit Awards, with the first track on their album, “Inár gcroíthe go deo”, a tribute to the case.
Join chair for the evening Phil Upton, Breakfast show presenter on BBC CWR, as he panels the discussion, featuring guest speakers;
Henrietta Norton - Film Director, Producer & Step-daughter of the late Mo Mowlam, former Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
Michelle Gildernew MP - Sinn Féin MP for Fermanagh & South Tyrone. Michelle was the Sinn Féin representative in London in the run-up to the Good Friday Agreement
Zarah Sultana MP - Labour MP for Coventry South
Taiwo Owatemi MP - Labour MP for Coventry North West
Caoilfhionn Gallagher KC - Lead Counsel to the Keane family, & Special Rapporteur to the Irish Government on Child Protection
Bez Martin - Margaret Keane’s Daughter & Human Rights Champion