Continuing efforts to secure peace in Richmond - parliamentary statement
(25 October 2005)Recently the community and political leaders from all the major political parties in the area met and pledged themselves once more to peace and to addressing the legacy of the political violence that once plagued Richmond.
What was however especially significant was the presence of offenders of political violence. It is very significant that these offenders, more than twenty of them, have taken the initiative and signed publicly their own peace pledge, which not only apologises for their past deeds but also commits them to future development of the Richmond community.
Their public renouncement of violence and acceptance of the wrongs they committed is an act of bravery that we salute.
We understand that the culture of violence and retaliation that these offenders grew up with means that it takes more courage to lay down their guns, than to pick them up.
The UDM calls upon Government, both Provincial and National, to come to the assistance of the Richmond community and help them to rebuild what decades of violence has destroyed. The scars will take a long time to heal but the whole community is committed to a peaceful and more prosperous future; we urge Government to recognise the special urgency of this community’s needs.