Fifteen police officers, two security workers and a photographer were injured during rioting in Belfast last night.
The trouble broke out after a majority of city councillors voted to end the practice of flying the union flag from Belfast City Hall every day of the year.
The most violent exchanges took place when some of the 1,000 demonstrators outside Belfast City Hall broke through police lines into the courtyard.
Missiles were fired and the PSNI struggled to contain the protesters for a time.
Police reinforcements were required when a small group headed towards St Matthew's Catholic Church in the Short Strand area.
Three men, aged 17,18 and 22, were arrested.
Many of the protesters were peaceful but their anger over what was happening in the City Hall was clear.
Sinn Féin and SDLP councillors were keen to end the practice of flying the union flag from Belfast City Hall.
But they backed a compromise motion from the Alliance Party to fly the flag on 15 designated dates each year, as happens at Stormont.
The unionist parties, who no longer have a majority on the council, claimed that bit-by-bit their British identity is being hollowed out.
They, in turn, were accused of fuelling tension in advance of last night's vote.
Northern Ireland Human Rights Chief Commissioner Michael O'Flaherty has said last night's violence must not be repeated.
"I am appalled at the violence displayed during last night's protests at City Hall," Mr O'Flaherty said in a statement.
"It is clear that adequate protections must be given to freedom of expression and assembly in Northern Ireland society.
"However, such rights are not absolute and need to be balanced against respect for the rights of others such as the right to safety in the community.
"Police officers, council workers, public servants and journalists have the right to be spared injury while carrying out their lawful duties. Community and political leaders must now find a way to ensure that last night's scenes are not repeated."
Anda sedang membaca artikel tentang
18 injured in Belfast riot over flag vote
Dengan url
http://newsdeadlineup.blogspot.com/2012/12/18-injured-in-belfast-riot-over-flag.html
Anda boleh menyebar luaskannya atau mengcopy paste-nya
18 injured in Belfast riot over flag vote
namun jangan lupa untuk meletakkan link
18 injured in Belfast riot over flag vote
sebagai sumbernya
0 komentar:
Posting Komentar