Irelands Future is on YouTube on the AOH channel. Brilliant conversation!
Posted by Jim on January 23, 2023
Archbishop Eamon Martin suggests religious leaders could help develop ‘truth recovery process’ to address controversial Troubles’ legacy
Posted by Jim on
Allan Preston
23 January, 2023 02:00
Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Chris Heaton-Harris and former Irish Foreign Affairs, now Trade Minister, Simon Coveney. Picture by Hugh Russell.
CATHOLIC Archbishop Eamon Martin has suggested religious leaders could help to develop a “truth recovery process” to address the legacy of the Troubles.
The dramatic intervention from the Irish primate came at a service in St Anne’s Cathedral in Belfast yesterday in front of church leaders and senior politicians including Secretary of State Chris Heaton-Harris and the Irish Government’s Trade and former Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney.
Amid the ongoing row over the British Government’s controversial Legacy Bill, the archbishop suggested churches could be “ambitious” in helping “develop truth recovery process to address the legacy of pain and mistrust that continues to hang over us”.
He said that peace, reconciliation and forgiveness across Ireland could only progress by shedding light on the truths of a troubled past that remain “hidden and festering”.
He was speaking ahead of the secretary of state’s five day trip to US where he can be expected to be grilled on the controversial Legacy Bill.
The bill, which introduces conditional amnesties, is on course to pass into law before summer.
It would end all future civil actions related to the conflict and there would be no further inquests beyond those already commenced.
The proposals have been opposed by the main political parties in Northern Ireland, the Irish government and victims’ groups.
A US Congressional letter to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak last week expressed concerns about the UK Government’s “dangerous” Troubles legacy plans.
The bipartisan letter from 27 members of the US Congress claims draft legislation would “deny justice to thousands of families” and “conceal the truth of the past”.
In 2009, former Catholic priest and Irish News columnist Denis Bradley, a former vice-chairman of the Northern Ireland Policing Board, worked with former Church of Ireland Primate, Lord Eames, to produce a report into dealing with legacy issues.
It made 31 recommendations on how to address the past.
The group’s most controversial proposal was for a £12,000 payment to the relatives of all killed during the Troubles – which would have cost some £40 million in total – even if the fatalities were involved in paramilitary shootings and bombings.
However their recommendations and report were shelved.
Yesterday’s service at St Anne’s was led by the Dean of Belfast the Very Rev Stephen Forde, and saw representatives and leaders from 16 different churches participate.
The event was marking 100 years since the first meeting of the Irish Council of Churches.
It also marked the 50th anniversary of the Ballymascanlon Talks during the Troubles in 1973, which led to the creation of the Irish Inter-Church Meeting.
Posted by Jim on January 20, 2023
Jim Sullivan
A Letter from Ireland
Justice Delayed Is Justice Denied
a Chara,
It’s deadline day. It’s Ground Hog day. Last May, the people in the North of Ireland voted for a new Assembly and Government. They returned Sinn Féin as the largest party and Michelle O’Neill as the First Minister Elect. It was a historic election. Sinn Féin had topped the polls and for the first time, an Irish Republican had taken the top spot.
The reaction of the largest pro-British Unionist party, the DUP was denial. They have blocked the election of a speaker and the formation of a government. Sounds familiar.
This holdout has been going on for nine months under the watch of three British Prime Minsters.
Democracy Denied
Under the rules, if a government was not formed within 6 months fresh elections would be called. The British government was insistent that the rule would be kept. We hit the deadline in November, the rules were changed and the election was put back to a new date. The new absolute date for a government to be formed or elections announced is January 19th. The British government has now said that it will review the issue. Deadline day is now groundhog day.
We are told that “an election will not change anything and may make things worse”. An argument that would be dismissed anywhere else in the world. It is now up to the British Government to demonstate a clear plan and pathway to have the May election result respected and the government re-established.
The current British Government has a caviler attitude to Good Friday and subsequent agreements.
Legacy Legislation
Next week the British Government will progress legislation in the House of Lords that will end all police investigations into the past conflict, close down inquests and ban victims from accessing the courts. Legislation that is opposed by all parties, victims, national and international human rights bodies, the Irish Government, and the US Congress. The proposals are an attack on the rights of victims and are irreconcilable with Good Friday and other agreements.
In advance of a meeting between the British and Irish Governments, the Irish Times published an opinion piece by a British Minister in which he says of the legislation,
“The UK Government is determined to deliver better outcomes for those most affected by the Troubles, and we welcome continued engagement with all stakeholders, including the Irish Government, as the legislation passes through parliament.”
The Irish Government is not a “stakeholder” to be consulted, they are co-equal partners in international agreements. The statement is clear; the British government will consult but carry on regardless. We will see if the British House of Lords will pass the next stage of this illegal legislation.
Irish Government’s Role
This legislation is not compatible with agreements and in particular the European Convention on Human Rights. If passed it will be overturned in the European Courts. That process may take up to ten years.
That timetable could be shortened to two years if the Irish Government were to take up the case.
The Irish Government should not allow itself to be relegated to a stakeholder but assert its position as a co-equal partner to the agreements and hold the British to account. It should publicly make clear its intention to prepare and take a case to safeguard the agreements and rights of Irish Citizens in the North of Ireland. Justice delayed is justice denied.
Is mise,
Ciarán
Ciarán Quinn is the Sinn Féin Representative to North America
US commitment to Northern Ireland “as strong as ever,” Special Envoy Kennedy says
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Joe Kennedy III, the new US Special Envoy to Northern Ireland, has outlined the goals for the relationship between the US and Northern Ireland.
IrishCentral Staff
Jan 20, 2023
Joe Kennedy III gives his first statement since being appointed as the new US Special Envoy to Northern Ireland.
Joe Kennedy III, who was recently appointed as the new US Special Envoy to Northern Ireland, has shared his first remarks since coming into the role.
Kennedy said he is “honored” to serve as the US Special Envoy to Northern Ireland for economic affairs in a video shared on his social media on January 17.
“My appointment as Envoy comes at an important milestone in our shared history as we approach the 25th anniversary of the Belfast / Good Friday Agreement,” Kennedy said.
“We can reflect on how political progress has provided the necessary conditions for economic prosperity.
“Since 1998, Northern Ireland’s growth and foreign direct investment has been remarkable. Improved political conditions have allowed our two-way trade to flourish.
“Now, we must continue the work to create opportunities for all in our future.”
Kennedy continued: “The United States’ commitment to a secure and prosperous Northern Ireland remains as strong as ever.
“I firmly believe that the next 25 years will be a time of even more growth and prosperity.
“Our goals are simple. We’ll capitalize on opportunities that deepen trade and investment between the United States and Northern Ireland.
“We’ll work to strengthen the people-to-people ties that have been fostered over so many years, and we’ll champion together Northern Ireland’s compelling potential as a place to visit, a place to study, and a place to do business.
“During my first weeks in this role, I’ve spoken to a range of leaders, experts, and citizens who have a stake in Northern Ireland’s economic future. I look forward to continuing these discussions.
“I am thrilled, honored, and humbled to be part of our shared history to take on this exciting opportunity.”
Later, on January 19, Kennedy said that he had spoken with US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken about his new role.
In the US Department of State’s formal announcement of Joe Kennedy III as US Special Envoy to Northern Ireland, Blinken said that Kennedy “will draw from his extensive experience to support economic growth in Northern Ireland and to deepen US engagement with all communities
“In parallel, US diplomats in Europe and Washington will continue to engage with political leaders on efforts to restore the Northern Ireland Executive and to resolve differences on the Northern Ireland Protocol.
“I look forward to Joe’s engagement and service with the people and leaders of Northern Ireland.”
Kennedy is reportedly set to visit Northern Ireland in February, while speculation is mounting that President Biden could be visiting in April to mark the anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement.
Call for legacy summit as UN’s Volker Turk says British government bill is incompatible with international human rights obligations
Posted by Jim on
20 January, 2023 02:00
Sinn Féin president Mary Lou McDonald. Picture by Brian Lawless/PA Wire
The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights has said the British government’s legacy bill must adequately ensure respect for the rights of victims, survivors and their families.
Volker Turk said the draft legislation as it stands appears incompatible with the UK’s international human rights obligations.
The bill would provide immunity for people accused of Troubles offences as long as they co-operate with a new truth recovery body, and would also halt future civil cases and inquests linked to killings during the conflict.
Mr Turk said he recognised that addressing the legacy of the Troubles was a “hugely complex and sensitive matter”.
“But the draft legislation as it stands appears to be incompatible with the UK’s international human rights obligations,” he said.
The high commissioner previously wrote to the British government over the proposed conditional immunity from investigation and prosecution for those accused of having committed serious human rights violations and other international crimes, other than sexual offences.
“Introducing conditional immunity in this manner would likely be at variance with the UK’s obligations under international human rights law to investigate and, where appropriate, prosecute and punish those found responsible for serious human rights violations,” he said.
“Concerns remain that the Bill would obstruct the rights of victims, survivors and their families to effective judicial remedy and reparations, including by prohibiting most criminal prosecutions and civil actions for Troubles-related offences.”
Mr Turk said “insufficient time” had been provided to meaningfully scrutinise proposed amendments to the bill one week before the House of Lords committee stage.
Mr Turk added: “Respect for rights of victims, survivors, and their families to truth, justice, reparation and guarantees of non-recurrence is essential for reconciliation,” he said.
“Their rights must be placed at the heart of all attempts to address the legacy of the Troubles.”
Amnesty International UK’s Gráinne Teggart described the high commissioner’s intervention as “significant, timely and welcome”.