Governments 'setting aside views of terrorists' victims'

The British Government is setting aside the views of the victims of terrorist violence in Northern Ireland by considering ways of enabling ‘‘on-the-run’’ paramilitaries to return without facing the law, it was claimed today.

During a debate at the Alliance conference on a proposed ‘‘amnesty’’ for paramilitaries who want to return to Northern Ireland without being tried for crimes, deputy leader Eileen Bell argued any deal would not be ‘‘a logical extension’’ of the Good Friday Agreement.

Calling for a deal which would see paramilitary fugitives from justice having to answer outstanding terrorist charges in the courts before being released, the North Down MLA told the Alliance conference in Carrickfergus, Co Antrim:

‘‘The intention of the two (British and Irish) governments is not to pursue outstanding prosecutions.

‘‘However, this term has not been defined nor has a list of those eligible been published, although it has been promised.

‘‘Alliance recognises that there is an issue to be addressed with ‘on-the-runs’ but the current proposals are not a logical extension of the Agreement, rather they are a quantum leap beyond it.

‘‘There are a great many atrocities over the last 30 years for which no-one has been brought to account.

‘‘The interest and views of victims have been neglected during this process. The failure to seek prosecutions is only going to increase their sense of hurt.’’

Mrs Bell noted there was a parallel problem of people being expelled from Northern Ireland by loyalist and republican paramilitaries under death threats, while those organisations were demanding an amnesty for their exiles.

As someone who was intimidated out of her home for marrying a Protestant, she was alarmed at the rise in the number of those exiled from the province by paramilitaries.

The Alliance deputy leader accused the Government of merely paying lip service to the problem.

The North Down MLA continued: ‘‘It is now a widely held belief amongst those caught up at street level in the ongoing troubles that no serious progress can be made towards peace in Northern Ireland until this problem is addressed.

‘‘It is a festering wound which can no longer be ignored.

‘‘It would be absolutely incredible if the Government proceeded with an amnesty for paramilitaries before first ensuring that those self-same paramilitaries lift the threats against those they have exiled.’’

East Antrim delegate Alderman John Matthews also criticised the Government’s handling of the exiles issue.

Noting Prime Minister Tony Blair and his wife Cherie were lawyers, Mr Matthews found it ‘‘remarkable that he is prepared to set aside the legal process for what? Peace in our time?’’