2.3 Case Study: Irish Model Of Conflict Management

2.3 Case Study: Irish Model of Conflict Management
Conflict between Catholics and Protestants in Northern Ireland was termed as sectarian violence, although other factors include political beliefs, ethnicity and class divisions that played major roles as well. It might also refer to general philosophical, political or armed conflict between different schools of thought such as that between Shi’a and Sunni sects. After decades of atrocities and violence, the sectarian conflict in Northern Ireland entered the phase of settlement after the signing of the Good Friday Agreement (GFA) in 1998. The historical dimension of the Irish conflict cannot be overlooked for analyzing the present and the future dynamics of the conflict.
The issue revolved around occupation of native land. Conflict between native Catholics and the “planters” (Protestants) led to two bloody ethno-religious conflicts between them in 1641-1653 and 1689-1691. As a legacy of religious split in Europe of 16th and 17th centuries, the Catholic-Protestant conflict in Northern Ireland was considered as a major destabilizing factor and an irritant for peace in Ireland and England. Surprisingly, when the Western parts of Europe were settling down after bloody sectarian wars of 16th and 17th centuries and were entering into a phase of enlightenment, industrial revolution and modernization, things in Ireland were still marred by sectarian schism with United Kingdom as a saviour of Protestant population of Northern Ireland and determined to prevent the unification of Ireland dominated by the Catholic majority. Major players in the sectarian conflict in northern ireland before the signing of good friday agreement were UK, USA, Sinn Fein (Political Wing of IRA), Irish Republican Army, Democratic Unionist Party and Protestant
The sectarian conflict in Northern Ireland was managed because of American mediation. No such foreign mediation to manage sectarian conflict exists in case of Pakistan.
The Irish conflict had an economic dimension as Catholic minority in Northern Ireland complained of economic deprivation at the hands of the British-backed Protestant majority. The Sunni population living in the Punjab’s district of Jhang which became a hub of sectarian conflict complained of economic exploitation and injustices by the Shi’a feudal lords. Sectarian conflict in Northern Ireland led to its transformation from violent to terrorist acts but suicide attacks were not launched. In case of Pakistan, the sectarian conflict has taken a dangerous turn with the induction of suicide bombers.
The sectarian conflict in Pakistan got escalated because of the Saudi and Iranian discord. In case of Northern Ireland, the sectarian conflict also got external support particularly from the European and American backers of Catholic and Protestants. The sectarian conflict in Pakistan has led to attacks over mosques and religious schools of both Shi’a and Sunni communities. In case of Northern Ireland, church and religious seminaries were not