Distretto Nord

Il DUP ci prova: i morti paramilitari non sono “vittime”

DUP bill to exclude paramilitary victims

A bill seeking to amend the official definition of a victim to distinguish between terrorists and civilians who lost their lives in the Troubles has been put forward by the DUP.

Parlamento di Stormont | Stormont ParliamentThe proposed legislation would see changes made to the current Victims and Survivors (Northern Ireland) Order 2006, which does not exclude members of paramilitary organisations.

Introducing the Private Members’ Bill at Stormont on Tuesday, DUP Chief Whip Peter Weir said it would be backed by innocent victims from both communities in Northern Ireland.

“Victims issues are amongst the most sensitive areas which are dealt with by the Northern Ireland Assembly,” the North Down MLA said.

“We must remember when talking about victims we are referring to very personal and individual pain suffered by people from right across the community in Northern Ireland.

“Through this Private Members Bill we are seeking to amend the current definition of a victim which allows perpetrators, whoever they are, to be placed on a par with the people they killed or injured.

“It is an issue for the victims of paramilitaries, from whatever side they may come in Northern Ireland and not merely confined to one community. This is about ensuring access to victim services for the victims of terrorism in Northern Ireland and it will have no negative impact upon carers.

“Today was only the first stage in the legislative process, coming after extensive consultation which was launched by my colleague Jeffrey Donaldson before he stepped down from the Assembly.

“Everyone wants to see Northern Ireland moving forward and putting our past behind us, but in seeking to deal with the past it is important we clearly differentiate between those who were engaged in terrorism and the victims they created.”

The move has been criticised by Sinn Féin, who described it as “divisive” and an “exercise to exploit the grief and suffering of victims”.

Speaking on Tuesday evening, Francie Molloy MLA said: “The current definition is broad and inclusive. It is an acknowledgement that victims and survivors have all suffered due to the conflict. The grief, pain and sense of loss experienced by victims and survivors is the same regardless of circumstance.

“There can be no hierocracy of victims. The current definition is accepted and used by all public bodies meeting the needs of victims.

“This is cynical as the proposers know that it will not succeed. It is an insult to the many victims of state violence and collusion. Victims that the proposers of this Bill ignore.

“It is more about the coming election and putting party politics above the needs of victims and survivors.

“Sinn Féin will oppose these cynical proposals and we believe that they will fail.”

Pagina precedente 1 2
Tags

René Querin

Di professione grafico e web designer, sono appassionato di trekking e innamorato dell'Irlanda e della sua storia. Insieme ad Andrea Varacalli ho creato e gestisco Les Enfants Terribles.

Related Articles

Close