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Ulster Human Rights Watch (UHRW) says it would be unacceptable to compel retired police officers and soldiers to co-operate with an information recovery process under proposed new legacy legislation.

The Lurgan-based registered charity says what is suggested is unbalanced. It will also serve to create the impression that former terrorists are to be treated more favourably than the men and women who protected law-abiding civilians, upheld human rights and defended democracy.

Advocacy Manager, Axel Schmidt, said: “What is outlined so far falls short of what is required.

“The Government wants to compel retired police officers and army personnel to come forward and cooperate with some form of information recovery process, which is obviously unacceptable.

“Meanwhile, Ministers seem prepared to open the door for former terrorists to come forward with the guarantee that they would not be prosecuted unless there was sufficient evidence against them and they refuse to co-operate with the information recovery process.

“This is also unacceptable as it would help them get off the hook and provide them with a platform to justify their engagement in terrorism.”

Mr Schmidt welcomed one aspect of the proposed legislation which centres on the level of disclosure of information by the State. Mr Schmidt added: “This is what needs to be encouraged without having to seek information from retired security forces personnel and terrorists.”

The creation of an oral archive is also causing concern. “In our view, this would be an unsafe route to go down as it would give former terrorists and their sympathisers the opportunity to justify their abominable actions.

“I believe innocent victims would feel most uncomfortable contributing to such a project,” said Mr Schmidt.

UHRW also questioned a proposed Reconciliation and Information Recovery Commission and wants to know what the Government means by ‘reconciliation’ since it is open to widely different interpretations.

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Ulster Human Rights Watch (UHRW) took part in yesterday’s European Memorial Day for victims of terrorism.

The event took place at La Mon House Hotel where, on 17th February 1978, twelve people were killed and twenty-three injured in a PIRA incendiary bomb attack, classified as a crime against humanity.

The Memorial Day was organised by Jim Allister MLA. It took the form of a minute’s silence in memory of murdered victims followed by some victims who told their stories.

UHRW Advocacy Manager, Axel Schmidt, said: “It is important to remember what happened and the terrible price that was paid by innocent victims of terrorism.

“There have been barbaric acts perpetrated by terrorists from all sides and today, we are left with hundreds of victims, many of whom have to live with appalling injuries that affect them every day of their lives.

“This year’s Memorial Day took place at La Mon House where the barbarity of the PIRA was exposed as a crime against humanity. Sadly, those who were most seriously injured in the La Mon bombing could not attend this event because of the trauma they are still suffering from. A huge price was paid by decent, law-abiding people at the hands of those who thought nothing of planting bombs and murdering and maiming innocent people.

“I am grateful to Mr Allister and his staff for once again organising this important annual Day of Remembrance in Northern Ireland. It is a dignified event and Ulster Human Rights Watch is honoured to have been asked to participate in it.”

Ulster Human Rights Watch seek a competent and experienced part-time Office Administrator who is also able to undertake a range of clerical and financial administration responsibilities in support of our Advocacy programme. (22.5 hours/week; £12,272.59 pa). Post is based in Brownlow House, Lurgan. Further information about the post, and the application form can be downloaded from the links below. The closing date for applications is 24 March 2022.

Candidate Information Booklet

Application Form

Monitoring Form