(William Scholes, Irish News)

A truth and reconciliation forum should be developed in Northern Ireland, although the idea presently lacks support from victims of violence, according to the Human Rights Commission.

In a report published this week, called Human Rights and Victims of Violence, the commission concludes that a "truth recovery" process should begin.

"In due course it will be appropriate to develop some kind of truth recovery mechanism in Northern Ireland," the study says.

"At present, however, there is little support amongst the victim community for such a process to be initiated.

"It would not be appropriate for the Human Rights Commission to serve this function, but the commission should facilitate discussion of what truth and reconciliation processes might eventually be appropriate for Northern Ireland."

The study presents the results of three years of research carried out by the commission's victims' rights project.

Chief Commissioner Brice Dickson said the report highlighted "the experiences of victims and survivors in Northern Ireland".

"In carrying out the research we consulted with victims of crime, whether arising from the conflict or in other ways, victims' groups and the agencies involved in the welfare of victims," he said.

"We will certainly be considering the rights which victims themselves have told us they would like to see in a Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland."

The report also found that victims agreed that to have their pain acknowledged remained their most fundamental right.

Among victims, there is much disagreement about the definition of victimhood.

"There are those who feel that 'real' victims had no choice over life, death or injury, whereas perpetrators had the choice whether or not to take part in premeditated acts of violence," the report says.

"While most victims feel unable to forgive those who carried out violence against their loved ones, there are those who recognise that some perpetrators became involved in the troubles when they were young and that they were influenced by the violence they saw in their communities."

The study also found: "People whose loved ones were killed by state forces have similar feelings towards the authorities to those experienced by victims of paramilitary organisations."

Sinn Féin victims spokesman Gerry Kelly claimed the report failed to "adequately deal with the victims of the British government policy of killing citizens".

"The European Court of Human Rights ruling only on Tuesday highlighted the failure of the British government to protect the rights of Pat Finucane," he said.

"The Human Rights Commission need to address such issues in a comprehensive manner."

This article appeared first in the July 5, 2003 edition of the Irish News.

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