Allister meets with 'FAIR' Victims
08 April 2009
TUV MEP Jim Allister has met with victims group ‘FAIR’ at its offices in Markethill. The MEP took the opportunity of meeting with victims and FAIR staff on a range of issues, including the need for adequate recognition for victims of terrorist violence.
The MEP said of his visit,
“The innocent victims of paramilitary violence, who have suffered greatly as a result of the IRA’s murderous campaign, have been treated despicably by Government to date. All too often, it seems that their very existence serves as an inconvenient reminder of the destruction and mayhem waged by those who have since been elevated to the highest offices of the land.”
“Under devolution, we have seen Government policies which are actually even more detrimental so far as innocent victims are concerned. The victims I met today remain deeply offended that they are considered in the same light by the current legal definition of ‘Victim’ as those who perpetrated acts of violence against them –it is unjust that this definition remains on the Statute book, despite the DUP’s promise to overturn it, which has proven hollow after almost 2 years of devolved misrule.”
“I was interested to get an update about the work FAIR is involved in at European level through the Monnet project, which stands for Mobilising Opposition Networks to Nationalistic European Terrorism. It is ironic that our own Government wants to keep innocent victims silenced, despite these experiences being considered of immense value overseas.”
“The recent Eames-Bradley Report further served to cause insult to innocent victims, and demonstrated just how out of touch Government is from innocent victims issues. I commend FAIR for the range of services and initiatives it has developed to raise the profile of innocent victims, and in turn to enhance the lives of those whom it exists to serve.
I remain fully committed to ensuring innocent victims are given due recognition in society, which must practically include receiving their fair share of EU funds under PEACE III. I commend FAIR for its efforts on behalf of victims to date, and I look forward to continuing to work alongside them and other victims groups in achieving an ambitious victims strategy for the future.”
ENDS
