Dissident republicans opened the year by reiterating their rejection of what they called "foreign rule" in Ireland.
In its New Year Statement, the 32 County Sovereignty Movement, acknowledged to be the political wing of the "Real IRA" which bombned Omagh, described Irish self-determination as a "non-negotiable right".
"Sectarian violence and terrorism cloud this issue and serve no purpose other than to widen divisions between the Irish people.
"It is in the interests of all Irish people to end political violence and pave the way for true democracy."
The statement said Protestants need not fear republican political violence which would widen the divisions between the communities.
The statement said: "Irish national sovereignty is a basic non-negotiable right.
"Republicans have defended and will continue to defend [that] non-negotiable right . . . and also to continue advancing their peaceful challenge to end the long-standing obvious impasse."
The group dismissed the Belfast Agreement. "What is now witnessed is not a peace process but a British process of normalisation . . . No level of foreign rule on Irish soil is acceptable."
They statement added that "securing" the release of remaining republican prisoners was a priority.
PA