The Five Demands

EXCLUSIVE: The 1916 Societies, in their First ever press release call for an “ALL IRELAND” Referendum

“ONE IRELAND, ONE VOTE” – 1916 SOCIETIES
The 1916 Societies recently held their Inaugural Annual Convention in Galbally, Tyrone attended by over 250 delegates and guests from across Ireland. A Coiste Náisiúnta was appointed from the floor and unanimously mandated to campaign for a truly democratic All-Ireland Referendum.  The 1916 Societies are an Irish Separatist Movement which aims to re-establish the Principle of Self-Determination for Ireland and are fully committed to the just and noble cause of the 32 Counties of Ireland becoming a United Sovereign Independent Republic.
The proposed Referenda under the existing 1998 Northern Ireland Act do not constitute a vote on National Self-Determination, but would in effect be merely an Internal Six County Border Poll. This in turn would be subject to the British/Unionist “Triple Lock” contained within Schedule 1 of the 1998 Northern Ireland Act i.e. “Lock 1” The Consent/Opinion of the British Secretary of State, “Lock 2” The Consent of the British Government at Westminster and “Lock 3” The Consent of the Unionists in the Six Counties. This Triple Lock is in clear breach of UN Resolution 1514 which states unequivocally at paragraph six that “any attempt aimed at the partial or total disruption of the national unity and the territorial of a country is incompatible with the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations.”  In more simple terms it is an affront to true democracy and must go.
The 1916 Societies on the other hand have set out in their Position Paper “One Ireland, One Vote” a clear democratic alternative.  As the purpose of any referendum is to decide on the future shape of Irish Sovereignty, that vote must be an All-Ireland/32 County Referendum, where the maximum number of Irish Citizens, including the Irish Diaspora, are entitled to vote.  The people of Ireland are of course best placed to decide Ireland’s future destiny. International supervision and control will ensure worldwide respect for such a Referendum free from any artificial constraints such as a “minimum turnout requirement.”  It will further ensure that a simple majority “Yes” vote will secure the transfer of sovereignty and democratic powers to the people of Ireland. Self-Determination is not simply an abstract “concept” but is in fact a well-established universal right.
Others may choose to “only be spectators” in the important upcoming Scottish Referendum in autumn 2014. The 1916 Societies support the Scottish People’s legitimate quest for Political Independence. While others remain silent, we will not stand idly by but will challenge Britain’s arrogance and hypocrisy. If self-determination is good enough for Scotland and for an island off the coast of Argentina then surely it is good enough for Ireland.
It is time to move on, time to complete the democratic wish of the Irish people, time to create a true, just and lasting peace. The 1916 Societies re-commit ourselves to the ideals of The United Irishmen and the Principles of the 1916 Proclamation and aspire to a United Sovereign Irish Republic based on the socialist values outlined therein guaranteeing “equal rights and equal opportunities to all its citizens…to pursue the happiness and prosperity of the whole nation and all its parts, cherishing all the children of the nation equally,”
ENDS