Snow Patrol frontman Gary Lightbody travelled to Stormont this week to deliver a powerful message about human rights and mental health in Northern Ireland.
The Bangor musician delivered a keynote address as part of the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission Annual Statement which called for the restoration of the power-sharing Executive.
The event, marking Human Rights Day, was hosted by Alex Maskey, Speaker of the Northern Ireland Assembly.
Read more: Snow Patrol become first NI artists to have song reach 1 billion Spotify streams
The Commission’s annual statement assesses how the NI Executive, relevant public authorities and the UK Government have taken action over the past 12 months to address ongoing or potential abuses of human rights.
This year’s report shows significant areas of concern which have been amplified by the cost-of-living crisis and recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Lightbody called on MLAs "regardless of party or allegiance" to work together to prioritise "basic human rights of safety, integrity, security, health care, mental health care, education, electricity and heat".
In his address, he talked about his experience of growing up in Northern Ireland, his views on humanity and highlighted how the cost of living crisis is leaving the country on its knees.
He said: "I grew up in an NI that didn’t feel connected to the world at all. We were isolated and insular.
"But through our art, culture, world champion athletes, many ex-pats making their lives in the us, Canada, Australia and all over the world we are now a big part of the world at large and we should celebrate that.
"And it should also make us cognisant of the fact that the citizens of the world we interact with, though they may be from different cultures and religions and backgrounds are our brothers, sisters and kin - fellow travellers on this timeline. We’re all on this rollercoaster together."
His speech, which lasted 30 minutes and can be read in full here, addressed all corners of the political spectrum in Northern Ireland and stressed the need for a functioning government at this crucial time.
"I know there are some politicians in the room today. And some politicians that aren’t. I’m not picking on those in the room nor am I letting the ones that aren’t here off the hook. I’m not picking on any political parties or individuals. I am addressing ALL of the elected politicians of NI regardless of party, or allegiance."
He continued: "Everyone at some point in recent years has refused to work with the other side on something or other so no one is blameless in this. I have an idea. It’s bold but hear me out.
"What if the leaders and senior members of all parties sit in a room together? I have a feeling there’s an empty room around here somewhere. And in that room what if you’re not allowed to talk about politics for an hour.
"Instead what if you talk about your families, friends, books you like, movies you’ve seen, places you’ve gone or would like to go on yer holidays, music you like to listen to (after today I’m guessing not Snow Patrol).
"You’ll soon realise that it’s not the devil that sits across from you. You’ll realise that you are all human. That protestants and catholics are in fact humans first. And then you can get to work trying to make life better for the people of NI."
Lightbody added: "The fact is that everyone in Northern Ireland is suffering. Whether it’s because of this current government shutdown or the previous government shut down. Whether it’s Brexit and its fall out, the pandemic, the mental health epidemic, the underfunded hospitals, nurses and doctors - the people trying to keep us alive.
"The heating crisis, the food poverty crisis, or myriad other crises. During all that mayhem is not the time to shut down".
READ NEXT:
- NI home heating oil prices rise sharply amid freezing temperatures
- Childline calls up 40% in NI as children worry about rising cost of living
- Cold Weather Payments triggered for parts of NI as temperatures drop
- Hubs offering warm spaces and kinship during cost-of-living crisis
For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here. To sign up to our FREE newsletters, see here.
