On 10 April 2023 we celebrate the 25th Anniversary of the signature of the Good Friday Agreement, also known as the Belfast Agreement. This was a political deal whose aim it was to end 30 years of violent conflict in Northern Ireland, commonly known as The Troubles. It was signed on 10 April 1998 and approved by public votes in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.
The deal was formally agreed between the governments of the United Kingdom and Ireland as well as eight Northern Irish political groups, such as Sinn Fein, the Ulster Unionist Party, the SDLP, and the Alliance Party. Only one significant political party, the DUP, was opposed to it.
The agreement recognized Northern Ireland’s constitutional status as being part of the UK, reflecting the will of the vast majority of residents. A united Ireland could only materialize if the majority of people in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland supported it. Hence, the principle of consent was established.
As a result of the Good Friday Agreement, Ireland and the UK also finally adopted the European Convention on Human Rights, , and established human rights commissions, such as the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission and the forerunner of the current Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission.
The Good Friday Agreement’s signatories confirmed their dedication to the already ongoing process of dismantling weapons. In an effort to restore stability in society, the British Government also committed to lowering the number of military personnel and their involvement in Northern Ireland. In the (almost) 25 years since the signature of the agreement, Northern Ireland has essentially enjoyed peace, with just a few breakaway groups sporadically carrying out attacks.
In IATE, we can find this term, which is now part of the history of the EU and its peace efforts along the years, translated into several languages.
References
BBC. (2022). Good Friday Agreement: What is it? Retrieved from https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-61968177
Kelly, B. (2022). What is the Good Friday Agreement? Retrieved from Independent UK: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/good-friday-agreement-northern-ireland-protocol-b2100417.html
Reuters. (2023). Explainer: What is the Good Friday Agreement and when was it signed? Retrieved from https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/what-is-good-friday-agreement-when-was-it-signed-2023-02-23/
United Nations. (2023). Northern Ireland Peace Agreement (The Good Friday Agreement). Retrieved from United Nations Peacemaker: https://peacemaker.un.org/uk-ireland-good-friday98
Written by Carmen del Campo Hermida
Born in Madrid, Spain, Carmen holds a Double Degree in Translation and Interpreting and Bachelor in Global Communication. She has also studied a Degree on Content Marketing and Social Media. She has been combining her studies with some part-time jobs, which has allowed her to appreciate little things in life, such as spending time with her family and friends and enjoying her hobbies. She is keen on learning from other people and cultures and wishes to get to travel around the world someday.