Allister Comments Ahead of Victims’ Forum Announcement
03 September 2009
Statement by TUV Leader Jim Allister QC:-With the make-up of the Victims' Forum to be announced tomorrow, it is imperative, if it is to have any credibility and worth, that it is comprised only of genuine victims, with no places for terrorist representatives.
The DUP, sadly has played politics for too long with the victims of terrorism, falsely raising hopes just before the European Election that legislation would change the obnoxious definition of "victim" which equates the genuine victim with the perpetrator. They know the republican veto in Stormont will block such, hence, since the election we've heard nothing more about it. But tomorrow's announcement of the Victims' Forum will demonstrate just who is controlling the victims' agenda.
Recently Martin McGuinness boasted, “Who would ever have believed in 1999 that we would now have legislation which leaves the DUP with no other option than, when addressing the needs of victims, to recognise that the relatives of IRA volunteers killed on active service are absolutely equal - absolutely equal - to the relatives of Crown forces personnel killed by the IRA?"
“If tomorrow we get a Forum which perpetuates the obscenity of equating victims with those who made them victims, then not only will it be a Forum incapable of delivering for real victims, but it will be another victory for the forces of terrorism. I, therefore, await the announcement with interest."
