Adams Slams Unionists Over Rights

As Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams handed in his nomination papers for the forthcoming Westminster election today he has said that Northern unionist opposition to a Bill of Rights is a symptom of a political leadership which is "out of touch with many within their own community".

"Working class unionist families, the working poor and other disadvantaged sections of unionism have been very badly let down by the main unionist parties," he claimed.

"The unionist parties opposition to equality is part of this and especially at this times their opposition to a Bill of Rights.

"If you are disabled or have a disabled family member a Bill of Rights would protect your rights and their rights to access to proper services," he said.

"The effects people from a unionist background as much as anyone else. Yet the unionist parties are against it.

"Unfortunately the unionist parties and the DUP in particular, with the acquiescence of the NIO, have set their faces against such an approach," he continued.

"I believe that the unionist political leaderships are out of touch with their own community on this issue.

"They are making a mistake in trying to sectarianise the issue of rights that would make a real and positive impact on the lives of those in greatest need.

"A Bill of Rights should set the floor, and not the ceiling for guaranteeing rights in our society for generations to come," the West Belfast MP concluded.

(BMcC/GK)