In a video for TV 247, the cartoonist points to the deep divisions that still exist in the country
Latuff in Belfast
247 Despite a peace agreement and an end to the armed confrontation, the conflict in Northern Ireland appears far from being resolved. In a video published on YouTube, Brazilian cartoonist Carlos Latuff denounces the apartheid that still prevails in the country and highlights the division between Catholics and Protestants.
Latuff finds himself in Alexandra Park in north Belfast showing viewers a wall dividing the park into two distinct areas. Known as the ‘Peace Wall’, this wall was built after the 1998 peace accords, but paradoxically reflects the ongoing divisions in Northern Ireland.
The video shows that the country’s division, while often linked to religious issues, is in reality a dispute between those who want Ireland to be unified and those who want the region to remain under British control. Latuff points out that it is strange that this situation of real apartheid still exists in the 21st century.
The cartoonist shows the part of the park where it is located as the Catholic area, while the furthest part represents the Protestant area. He mentions that in the past generations of young people fought violent battles with stones and slingshots because of the existing sectarianism.
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Despite the peace accord ending armed conflict between anticolonial Irish Republican forces and British police and military forces, the city of Belfast remains sharply divided. There are walls everywhere, separating the Catholic and Protestant sectors, increasing segregation.
The segregation continues Latuff’s video draws attention to the ongoing divisions in Northern Ireland and questions the effectiveness of the peace accords. He shows that the issue goes beyond religion, pointing out that Catholics defend the country’s unification, while Protestants are linked to Britain and defend Northern Ireland’s remaining under British control.
While peace seems decades old, Latuff’s video reminds us that racial segregation still reigns in Northern Ireland. The struggle for reconciliation and unity continues and a concerted effort is needed to break down the physical and emotional barriers that still divide the people of this region.