NI: Most would back truth commission

A majority of people would support the formation of a South African-style truth commission to investigate the years of bloodshed in Northern Ireland, it was claimed today.

Academics at the University of Ulster and Edge Hill College, Lancashire also found more than two thirds of young people backed the move.

Support was found to be stronger among Catholics than Protestants while the United Nations was voted the most popular choice to run such a body.

But the vast majority of respondents accepted a commission might not necessarily uncover the truth.

The authors of the study said it refuted claims there is no appetite for such a process in the North and that the unionist community is totally opposed to it.

Dr Patricia Lundy said around 30 truth commissions have been held throughout the world to deal with issues arising following a period of conflict.

The University of Ulster sociology lecturer said: “What we can take from all this is that there appears to be broad, if cautious, approval that a truth commission would be a good idea, even if people are not sure it will deliver the truth.

“There is clear opposition to any of the major political actors involved in the conflict overseeing such a process.

“It is difficult not the draw the conclusion that, if people do not think a truth commission will get to the truth, then it is because they lack confidence in the governments, parties, groups and bodies most likely to be involved in the running of a truth commission to do so.”

More than half (52%) of respondents felt a truth commission was important for the future, while more than a quarter (28%) thought it was unimportant.

Among Catholics support for a commission reached 60% but 21% expressed disapproval.

But only 44% of Protestants signalled broad approval while 34% said they were against such a move.

Support for a commission was found to be greatest (69%) among 18- to 24-year-olds.

Almost half of interviewees (48%) felt international organisations like the United Nations should run any truth commission but more than three quarters (76%) said ordinary people should decide who runs it.

Among the other options, 92% said they would not trust the British government to run a truth commission, 89% said they would not trust the NI Assembly and 97% said they would not trust the Irish Government.

But the survey also found that 65% of people thought there were better ways of dealing with the past, suggesting that people might see a truth commission as only part of the answer.

But Dr Lundy said a commission could play a valuable role in the future of Northern Ireland.

She said: “Their popularity is based on the claim they can promote healing, closure and reconciliation and can redress the wrongs of the past.

“Ireland increasingly looks like the exception that proves the rule, given the absence of such an official truth-telling process here.

“What has marked us out from the international norm has been the piecemeal approach to dealing with the past.

“This has largely been the result of the constructive ambiguity of the peace process placing a premium on not dealing with the past.

“Consequently victims’ issues have become a site of struggle and division.”

A total of 1,800 people were interviewed as part of the Northern Ireland Life and Times Survey, which was carried out between October 2004 and January 2005.