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We, the Executive and Staff Members of the Ulster Human Rights Watch (UHRW), have been greatly grieved at the passing away on Sunday, the 24th July 2022 of our esteemed Chairman, Sir William Wright CBE.

Sir William was a founder member of the UHRW and has been our Chairman since the organisation’s inception and during the past two decades. He gave unstinting support financially, morally, spiritually and in many other ways too numerous to mention during that period. He will be sadly missed not only by us, his closest colleagues, but also by the many friends of the UHRW who knew him in his many and varied roles throughout the N. Ireland community.

Our deepest sympathy goes to his dear wife, Ruby, and all the members of his extended family. They can be assured that they will continue to be in our prayers in the weeks and months that lie ahead. May God bless you all.

Gordon Liggett,

Acting Chairman

Ulster Human Rights Watch (UHRW) Advocacy Manager, Axel Schmidt, said: “For legislation to work, it must place innocent victims of terrorism front and centre. The plight of people who suffered at the hands of bombers and gunmen must not be relegated or downplayed.

“Justice is the cornerstone of our democracy. The door to delivering that justice must not be closed or narrowed. Otherwise, good people who carry the burden of loss or lifelong disabilities will feel betrayed and abandoned.

“The State has a duty of care to the men and women who served in the Police and Army and any suggestion that they should be treated on a par with terrorists is abhorrent and wrong. There can be no equivalence.

“We have reservations about elements of the Bill such as the story-telling provisions and during its passage through Parliament, it would be our hope that the draft legislation will be considerably amended to prevent easy access to former terrorists to propagandise and re-set their heinous acts as somehow justified or legitimate.”

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Ulster Human Rights Watch (UHRW) has asked Dublin for its proposals on legacy and how to deal with the past.

The Lurgan-based charity which champions the cause of innocent victims of terrorism was commenting after Irish Minister for Foreign Affairs, Simon Coveney, criticised the Government’s Legacy and Reconciliation Bill.

UHRW Advocacy Manager, Axel Schmidt, said: “Dublin has failed to produce any ideas or proposals on how to deal with the past since the Stormont House Agreement.

“There is much in this draft Bill brought forward by the Secretary of State, Brandon Lewis, that we would oppose and challenge, but it is a bit rich for Mr Coveney to lambast what is set out and not look to the Republic of Ireland’s own shortcomings.

“The Irish Government cannot exclude itself from what happened in the past. There was a safe haven for terrorists across the border. Attacks were mounted on security personnel – many part-time soldiers and police officers – from the Republic of Ireland. People were abducted in Northern Ireland and brought across the frontier where they were tortured and murdered.

“Is Dublin’s trying to forget its role in all of this? Abdicate its responsibility? It cannot sweep away its own involvement or attempt to re-write history.

“Yet, we’ve heard nothing – complete radio silence – from the Department of Foreign Affairs when it comes to presenting its own suggestions or proposals on how to deal with the past.

“Mr Coveney cannot simply wash his hands of this and point the finger of blame at the British Ministers when his administration has failed to move the process forward constructively. It’s time for some frank and honest discussion without accusing the other side of getting it wrong.”