: Latest News

The victims’ campaign group, Ulster Human Rights Watch (UHRW), has said the ruling by the Court of Appeal on a Victims’ Payment Scheme removes the last remaining obstacle to pensions being paid.

The Court of Appeal said the Executive had a legal duty to fund the scheme. It has given the parties four weeks to find a solution.

UHRW Advocacy Manager, Axel Schmidt, said: “This is a watershed ruling and one we most warmly welcome.

“The way this issue has been batted back and forth by the Northern Ireland Executive and the Government has been shameful.

“The absence of provision in the Draft Budget announced by the Finance Minister meant the stalemate would continue over who should fund the scheme – London or Belfast.

“Today, this ruling sweeps away the last remaining obstacle to the commencement of the scheme. There is no hiding place for either parties or Government to go to. The Finance Minister and his colleagues in the Executive have been told they have a legal duty to fund the long overdue scheme.

“For almost a year, innocent victims of terrorism have watched as the squabbling over who should pay and who should qualify was played out. The delay is callous and cold-hearted.

“The message today is to get on with the job and give some solace to innocent victims of terrorism who, frankly, deserve better treatment.”

Veteran’s Commissioner Danny Kinahan has written an open letter to all Veterans in Northern Ireland. We very much appreciate the support offered by Mr Kinahan, and in particular to the many victims of terrorism who also served in the Armed Forces.

Please follow the link to see the letter:

Letter to Veterans’ community – 29 Jan 2021

Ulster Human Rights Watch (UHRW) has stated the draft Northern Ireland Budget fails to provide for a Victims’ Payments Scheme and is therefore “appalling and callous treatment” of innocent victims of terrorism.

There is no provision in the 2021/22 Budget which means victims have been cut adrift with no clear commitment by the devolved Stormont institutions to make long overdue payments.

UHRW Advocacy Manager, Axel Schmidt, said: “Deadlines have come and gone with little or no sense of urgency in finding a resolution over who pays.

“Our victims are pawns in a deplorable political game of ping-pong. It does no one any credit, neither the devolved Stormont administration nor the Government.

“We’d been told by the Justice Minister that we could see payments by March, but in the absence of a funding stream in the Finance Minister’s draft budget, that now seems a forlorn hope.

“This is appalling and callous treatment that should be roundly condemned. Let’s get this political mess sorted out and some financial help offered to innocent victims.

“Surely, it’s within the capacity of our Executive Ministers and the Secretary of State, Brandon Lewis, to come up with a solution that draws a line under this shameful chapter.

“A compromise or temporary fix is urgently required until we can resolve all outstanding matters. We have already asked Mr Lewis for a meeting, which is now urgent. We will also lobby Ministers to see what can be done to get payments to the people who need them and who, for far too long, have suffered in silence.”