ConflictBarometer_2015

EUROPE
In mid-July, the government deployed military units to Zakarpattia
and re-appointed the governor after members of
the Right Sector had initiated a shootout with police forces
in Mukacheve, Zakarpattia, on July 11. According to local
media, the shooting was a result of an attempt to control
smuggling routes from Ukraine to the EU between the Right
Sector and supporters of MP Mykhailo Lanyo. At least two
members of the Right Sector were killed and four injured.
Dmytro Yarosh, then-leader of the Right Sector, claimed their
aim was to prevent crimes, in which the local police was involved.
Criminal investigations were launched against around
a dozen activists of the Right Sector on charges of founding
a criminal organization and committing terrorist acts. On July
21, several thousand supporters of the Right Sector gathered
on Maidan in Kyiv to protest against the government.
During the event, Yarosh called for a referendum in order to
decide about questions on loyalty to state institutions and
state policy. Consequently, the party decided not to take
part in future local elections. On August 31, a parliamentary
session was held on a constitutional reform, which would
grant more autonomy to militant controlled territories in the
East [→ Ukraine (Donbas)]. Meanwhile, protesters allegedly
linked to far-right Svoboda party, demonstrated in front of
the parliament. A nationalist protester killed three members
of the Ukrainian National Guard securing the parliament and
injured over 100 people, by throwing a grenade. In response
to the constitutional reform, the Radical party quit the coalition
government.
On September 20, an economic blockade of Crimea was
initiated by the Crimean Tatar leadership and assisted by
Ukrainian activists from the nationalist volunteer battalions
[→ Ukraine (Crimean Tatars)]. During the blockade, activists of
Right Sector and members of the extreme-right Azov battalion
conducted extrajudicial identity checks, vehicle searches,
confiscation of goods, and arrests, as reported by UN Human
Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine.
Ukrainian nationalists organized parades commemorating the
Day of the Defender of Ukraine and the Day of the Ukrainian
Insurgent Army on October 14 in the cities of Kharkiv, Kyiv,
Lutsk, Mariupol, and Odessa. A number of Ukrainian far-right
organizations, in particular the Svoboda party, Right Sector,
and the Azov battalion participated. The marches were dominated
by harsh anti-government, anti-Russian, and nationalist
rhetoric. On December 21 in the city of Krasnokutsk, Kharkiv
oblast, demonstrators wearing masks and waving the flags
of the Azov battalion, pelted stones and Molotov cocktails
at the houses of local police chiefs. This happened during a
demonstration of local residents, who protested against the
actions of the police, in particular the release of two homicide
suspects.
Furthermore, right-wing groups and nationalists also targeted
pro-Russian journalists, LGBTI activists, and the Jewish
community. For instance, a nationalist group calling itself
''Ukrainian Insurgent Army'' claimed responsibility for the
murders of pro-Russian politician Oleh Kalaschnikow, on
April 15, and Ukrainian pro-Russian journalist Oles Buzina on
April 16. On June 18, the government announced the detention
of two alleged murderers of Buzina, Andrey Medvedko,
Svoboda party member and radical nationalistic movement
activist, and Denis Polishchuk, platoon officer of the farright
Ukrainian People's Self-Defence (UNSO). On June 6, the
pro-LGBTI ''March of Equality'' in Kyiv was accompanied by
homophobic statements. Poroshenko supported the event
calling it ''a constitutional right'' of citizens. During and after
the march, participants were exposed to attacks of radical nationalists
despite the presence of police. One police officer
was seriously injured and about 20 participants and passersby
were injured. More than ten attackers were arrested.
vap
UNITED KINGDOM (NATIONALISTS / NORTHERN
IRELAND)
Intensity: 3 | Change: | Start: 1968
Conflict parties:
Conflict items:
CIRA, RIRA et al., SDLP, SF vs. UUP,
UDA, Orange Order, government,
DUP, Alliance Party, UVF
secession
The violent crisis over the secession of Northern Ireland
(N-IRL) from the United Kingdom between the antagonistic
communities continued.
Throughout the first half of the year, Loyalist and Republican
parties held several rounds of talks discussing the implementation
of the Stormont House Agreement signed on 12/23/14.
In the aftermath of the signing, Irish Republicans had criticized
the Republican Sinn Féin (SF) for its policy on various
occasions. On March 9, Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness
(SF) announced that SF would block the welfare bill
which is a crucial part of the agreement. In response, Loyalists
and First Minister Peter Robinson (Democratic Unionist
Party, DUP) criticized SF's decision and warned of a breakdown
of N-IRL's devolution process. The political stalemate
continued in the course of the year until Republicans and
Loyalists struck an agreement on welfare, past, and paramilitarism
on November 17. While SF assented to transfer powers
to the British Parliament concerning welfare issues, the British
government announced to give N-IRL an additional financial
support of USD 761.1 million and to allow it to establish its
own 12.5 percent corporation tax. In addition, the parties
agreed on establishing an international body to monitor the
status of paramilitary groups and intensify their fight against
cross-border crime in N-IRL and the Republic of Ireland (IRL).
While British and Irish governments welcomed the agreement,
Irish Republicans blamed SF for betrayal.
Sectarian violence continued throughout the year, leaving
several people and police officers injured. However, the Police
Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) stated on July 31 that
the number of sectarian crimes decreased by 15.8 percent
compared to the 2013-14 period. The Parades Commission's
decision on July 6 to ban, for the third consecutive year, the
Protestant Orange Order's parade scheduled to take place on
the Ulster Protestant celebration day on July 12 in Belfast
caused several dozen Orangemen to stage a rally in Belfast
on July 9. Republicans like SF, however, welcomed the decision.
On the day of the parade, tens of thousands of people
initially peacefully took part in celebrations across N-IRL.
Clashes ensued in Belfast as Loyalist rioters attacked police
lines using bottles, bricks, slingshots, metal ladders, paint
bombs, stones, and hurled up to 30 petrol bombs at the riot
police. The latter responded with water cannon and plastic
bullets. Later that day, further clashes broke out after an
Orangeman had steered a car into a group of Catholics, injuring
two. Moreover, Republican youths stoned a bus carrying
Orangemen through Greysteel, Causeway Coast, and Glens
district (N-IRL), injuring one passenger. Overall, the clashes
left 29 police officers and several demonstrators injured. The
police arrested nine people. Members of the N-IRL and British
governments as well as the Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland
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