Sinn Fein seeks unarmed police in the North

Sinn Féin will seek an unarmed police service in Northern Ireland and forge an alliance with other groups to work toward a united…

Sinn Féin will seek an unarmed police service in Northern Ireland and forge an alliance with other groups to work toward a united Ireland, the party said today.

With nine days left before Northern Ireland's Assembly Election, Sinn Féin's manifesto said it would work alongside other parties, community groups, trades unions and individuals on the case for a united Ireland.

Republicans would also build on commitments secured during talks with the two governments on policing and justice, ensuring powers are transferred from Westminster to Stormont.

In a foreword to the 93-page document, Sinn Féin president Mr Gerry Adams said the party would press for the full implementation of the Belfast Agreement. "We have continued to negotiate with the two governments and the unionists to restore the political institutions. We stand firm," Mr Adams said.

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"Sinn Féin will continue with this approach to get the Agreement implemented, to secure equality, a new beginning to policing and further all Ireland progress."

The party vowed to call for the preparation and publication of a Green Paper on Irish unity by the Government in Dublin. The manifest also seeks to secure representation in the Oireachtas and voting rights for people in Northern Ireland in Presidential elections in the South.

The party also wants an end all British army patrols on Northern Ireland's streets.

The manifesto also says Sinn Féin will:

  • Establish a Department of Equality at Stormont and ensure the Single Equality Bill is rapidly introduced.
  • Restructure the Human Rights Commission, reviewing the composition, appointments process, powers and resources with an independent selection panel responsible.
  • Ensure timetabled monitored measures are produced to eliminate the differential in unemployment rates between Protestants and Catholics.
  • Produce a Bill of Rights based on an all-Ireland charter of rights, with the establishment of an all-Ireland constitutional court.