Human rights in Northern Ireland 2014

2014 was another difficult year for Northern Ireland, not so much because of politically motivated violence but because of political bickering between the two main parties in the Northern Ireland Assembly and Executive. Two days before Christmas, the so-called Stormont House Agreement (SHA) was reached, supposedly providing a blueprint for the solution of disputes over welfare reform, fiscal policies, dealing with the past, the display of flags and the regulation of parades. Unfortunately, as the report in the 2015 Yearbook will make clear, it did not take long for the SHA to unravel. In July 2014 a new Chief Constable, George Hamilton, took over the role from Matt Baggott. Although he had previous service in the Royal Ulster Constabulary, which was replaced by the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) in 2001, nationalist politicians seemed content with the appointment. Throughout 2014, however, the National Crime...