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Nobel Peace Prize winner John Hume dies

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John Hume

Leader of Northern Ireland’s peaceful nationalist movement (Social Democratic and Labour Party - SDLP), civil rights campaigner and Nobel laureate John Hume died today (3 August) aged 83. Hume, and Ulster Unionist leader David Trimble, were awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1998 following the signing of the ‘Good Friday Agreement’ which received overwhelming support across the island of Ireland. 

Hume looked to Europe for inspiration and was a member of the European Parliament from its first direct elections in 1979 to 2004. Speaking in the European Parliament, he said that he considered the European Union to be the best example in the history of the world of conflict resolution.

He often drew parallels between the ‘three principles’ that lie at the heart of the European Union and the Northern Irish peace process. Firstly, respect for difference: “When you look at conflict, no matter where it is, what is it about? It's about difference, whether it's race, religion or nationality, the first principle of the European Union is respect for difference.” Secondly, the need to build institutions, that involve all parties and finally, and to Hume most importantly, the healing process. The Good Friday Agreement, which has brought Northern Ireland 22 years of relative peace, was built on these principles. The peace process is still a work in progress, but it has provided more than 20 years of relative peace in Northern Ireland. 

PEACE

John Hume led a campaign, with fellow Northern Irish MEPs Jim Nicholson and Ian Paisley for an EU PEACE programme. The programme covered Northern Ireland and the Border Region of the Republic of Ireland and has been running since 1995. During the difficult discussions on the EU’s future budget, leaders agreed to a budget of €120 million for the 2021-27 period, despite Brexit. 

European Commission President Jaques Delors was one of the original champions of the fund, following the first ceasefire by paramilitaries in 1994. Delors established a special task force to identify how the EU could best foster peace in autumn 1994. In December 1994, at the European Council meeting in Essen, the European Union, anxious to assist with embedding the peace process, confirmed the “commitment of the European Union to underpin this unique opportunity for reconciliation and economic recovery”.

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European funding was used to buttress the peace process by providing support for projects to reinforce peaceful cross-community and cross-border co-operation and that promote reconciliation. 

Jacques Santer, president of the EC, met a delegation from Northern Ireland, composed of MEP James Nicholson, Deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland Seamus Mallon, First Minister of Northern Ireland David Trimble and John Hume, leader of the SDLP, the Social Democratic and Labour Party. 1998

BREXIT

Suffering from dementia, John Hume spent his last years in a nursing home. Sadly, he was unable to contribute to the discussions on Northern Ireland’s future after the UK’s EU referendum. He would have no doubt seen Brexit as a major step backwards and a very real threat to peace. However, Hume’s many years of making the case for peace left a strong imprint on the European Union’s institutions. The Brexit negotiations, led by Michel Barnier put the protection of the ‘all-island’ economy and the Good Friday Agreement at the heart of discussions. Barnier, who was once responsible for the PEACE programme as Commissioner for Regional Policy, had a rare understanding of the sensitivities of Northern Ireland’s politics. The Ireland/Northern Ireland protocol is a testament to Hume’s ongoing influence, the structures that he helped build have outlived him. 

Tributes came in from across the world

Bill Clinton wrote: "Hillary and I are deeply saddened by the passing of our friend John Hume, who fought his long war for peace in Northern Ireland. His chosen weapons: an unshakeable commitment to nonviolence, persistence, kindness and love. With his enduring sense of honor, he kept marching on against all odds towards a brighter future for all the children of Northern Ireland."

President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen 

Irish European Commissioner for Trade: 

President of the European Parliament David Sassoli: 

 

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