Féile an Phobail claim 'vindication' as Women's Rights Network say cancelled event to go ahead 'at alternative venue'

Féile an Phobail said they are “delighted” with the outcome of a High Court case, which had been brought by the Women’s Rights Network (WRN NI).

They said the outcome was “a vindication of Féile's position in standing up for those who are marginalised” .

WRN NI said it “is delighted to have reached an agreement with Féile an Phobail which brings the current legal proceedings to an end”.

The West Belfast festival had attracted criticism after pulling a panel discussion to be held by the WRN to discuss issues such as single sex spaces.

It said it had made the decision as it supported “the right of the Transgender community to be treated with equality and respect”.

Stormont’s culture minister Gordon Lyons said Feile was happy to take public money “to platform ‘debate’, right up until the debate involves views they don’t like”. He said Feile dropped the event “the moment an online mob kicked off”.

Both WRN and the UK human rights charity Sex Matters then threatened legal action over the decision, with the WRN case focusing on contractual obligations relating to the event.

After a hearing in Belfast’s High Court on Wednesday in relation to WRN NI’s case, Feile claimed victory.

A spokesperson said: “Today's outcome is a vindication of Féile's position in standing up for those who are marginalised.

“Féile's decision to withdraw this event from our programme stands. The agenda of many of those who involved themselves in this issue was clear for all to see.

“Many of the very same people line up every year to attack Féile at every turn, to attempt to damage Féile, and to attack the West Belfast community. They will never succeed.

“Féile an Phobail will continue to provide a voice for the marginalised, and we are looking forward to welcoming the world to West Belfast to join with us to celebrate Ireland's biggest community festival”.

WRN NI said: “The Judge congratulated the parties today, saying they both deserved credit for reaching a resolution in this difficult domain involving emotive issues.

“Féile has agreed to meet with WRN NI to explore and discuss our potential participation in future Féile events, and we warmly welcome the opportunity for continued engagement.

“Our women live, work, volunteer and support their communities across Northern Ireland. Our priority has always been to bring conversations about women’s sex-based rights into our festivals, workplaces, homes and communities, and to create spaces where women can come together and discuss the rights that affect their lives.

“We have done that, and we are immensely grateful for the support we have received over the past week, both publicly and privately. We hope this agreement marks the beginning of constructive engagement and greater opportunities for women’s voices and perspectives to be heard.

“Our work continues. We look forward to the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland (ECNI) Judicial Review later this year, where WRN NI will continue advocating for women’s sex-based rights and for the safety, privacy and dignity of women and girls across Northern Ireland.

“And importantly, Respect, Rights & Reality will still go ahead on 4 August at an alternative venue. Further details will follow. We look forward to seeing you there”.

A separate legal case has been threatened by Sex Matters, a UK charity which campaigns for sex-based rights for women and girls.

While the WRN case is understood to have focused on contractual issues between themselves and Féile an Phobail, the Sex Matters argument is focused on discrimination law.

They had said it is “prejudicial and discriminatory for Féile an Phobail to join in with the online attacks and to smear WRN, Sex Matters and the panellists as “campaigning against the rights of the trans community” and as being inconsistent with “fully supporting the rights of the Transgender community to be treated with equality and respect”