The SDLP is to seek an urgent meeting with the Northern Secretary, Dr Mo Mowlam, her security minister, Mr Adam Ingram, and the Chief Constable, Sir Ronnie Flanagan, to discuss the recent increase in paramilitary attacks and expulsions in Northern Ireland in recent weeks.
Following a meeting yesterday, the party said in a statement it had heard a first-hand report by its Assembly member, Mr Danny O'Connor, of the sectarian attacks on him and members of his family in Larne, Co Antrim, at the weekend.
The SDLP added it was particularly concerned that the RUC were "not tackling the loyalist threat to Catholics in the Larne area and other areas of the North with sufficient vigour".
"The party will also be expressing its abhorrence of recent expulsions, punishment beatings and the murder of Charles Bennett to Sinn Fein when the two parties meet in the near future," the statement continued.
"The SDLP demands that parties with paramilitary connections fulfil their obligations to the Mitchell Principles and to the Good Friday agreement by publicly opposing and calling for an end to those human rights abuses."
Meanwhile, the Ulster Democratic Party, the political wing of the UDA, has responded to a call from Mr O'Connor to use its influence to stop sectarian attacks on Catholics in Larne.
The party said its representative in the town was contacted by the UDA and told the organisation denied any involvement in the attacks on Mr O'Connor and his family.
Nevertheless, the party said it recognised the violence taking place in Larne was unacceptable and called for attacks emanating from the Protestant community to stop immediately.
It said it hoped Mr O'Connor would make a similar call within the Catholic community.