SDLP party chairman Mr Alex Attwood said a "window of opportunity" has been created by the
Irish and British governments' proposals on breaking the political impasse in the North.
An SDLP delegation is in Dublin today to advise the Government on "the feeling on the ground" over recent Loyalist attacks on vulnerable Catholic areas in the North.
Mr Atwood said it was now time for all paramilitary groups "to respond and respond in away that builds maximum public confidence. If they can face up to that challenge, then all of us can face up to all the challenges," he said.
Mr Attwood said the SDLP looked forward to a "more substantial document" being made available in the coming days in respect of policing and change. "When all that evidence is available then we will make our considered and final judgement," he said.
Mr Attwood said many people in the North believed at least three out of six UDA/UFF unitswere not honouring ceasefire commitments.
With sectarian attacks on the increase, he said it was now up to the British government to make a declaration on the state of the ceasefires.
Speaking outside the Department of Foreign Affairs, Mr Attwood said the delegation was inDublin to meet a range of agencies over human rights issues. He said work should beginimmediately on "a charter of rights for all the island and citizens of Ireland".
"Human rights are portrayed as concessions whereas they are actually achievements of usall," he said.
The SDLP delegation is expected to meet with the Human Rights Commission and AmnestyInternational later this afternoon.