Plea for calm in Belfast amid violent disorder

MEPs say protests such as those seen this week in Belfast “must remain peaceful and lawful”.

The message, from the ECR Group in the European Parliament, comes in the wake of violent disturbances in the Northern Irish city.

This follows clashes over consecutive nights between protestors and the police after a knife attack in the city.

Hadi Alodid (pictured), 30, originally from Sudan, appeared in court on Wednesday (10 June) charged with attempted murder. 

The family of Stephen Ogilvie, who suffered serious injuries in the attack to his face, neck and back, appealed for calm on the streets, urging against the incident being "used to divide people or fuel hostility".

Ogilvie's family released statements saying he was in a stable condition and calling for calm

The attack sparked ugly scenes in the city and a two-month-old baby was among those rescued during Tuesday's violence.

Reacting to the violence, the ECR Group said that, while this incident took place in the UK, it “should serve as a warning to the European Union as well: asylum must never become a blind spot in Europe’s security architecture.”

The mainstream political group added, “European countries must know who is entering and whether potential risks to public safety have been properly assessed.”

At the same time, the ECR Group said it wanted to stress that “protest must remain peaceful and lawful”.

It went on: “But political leaders must also understand that public concern will only grow if legitimate worries about asylum, border control and public safety are ignored.”

ECR co leader Nicola Procaccini said: “This is a shocking and tragic case. Our first thoughts are with the victim and the brave members of the public who intervened. 

"But political leaders also have a responsibility to draw the right lessons. People entering a country through irregular routes must be subject to thorough and credible security checks.

“Gaps in border systems and asylum procedures must never become loopholes in our security system,” added the Italian member.

The comment was echoed by ECR co leader Patryk Jaki, a Polish MEP, who said, “Public safety must come first, and citizens have the right to expect that the authorities know who is entering their country, who has the right to stay, and whether security concerns have been properly identified.

“Violence on the streets is not the answer. But neither is political denial. The abuse of asylum procedures is a real problem. It must be addressed lawfully, firmly and without delay,” said the deputy, a member of the influential conference  of presidents.

The ECR Group said it has “consistently called for stronger external borders, faster asylum procedures, effective returns and better security screening across Europe.”

A spokesman said: “There must be no loopholes when public safety is at stake.”

Elsewhere, Deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland Emma Little-Pengelly says the violent scenes from Belfast have "appalled and horrified absolutely everyone".

She told the BBC that while some peaceful protesters do have legitimate concerns, others seem determined to cause "violence, thuggery and disorder".

"That is absolutely wrong," she says. "We of course have been united in calling for that to stop immediately."

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