A senior north Belfast loyalist last night claimed that the UDA was abandoning punishment shootings in favour of 'naming and shaming' those it judges to be involved in anti-social activity.
The statement came as two young men, alleged by the UDA to have been involved in house breaking, were yesterday forced to stand on a busy north Belfast thoroughfare carrying placards admitting involvement in anti-social behaviour.
In an apparent throwback to the 1970s, when republican and loyalist paramilitaries tarred and feathered individuals judged to have broken the law of the 'street', shoppers on the busy Ligoniel Road were bemused to be confronted by two young men brandishing placards reading: "We are scum who robbed our own people."
It is understood that the pair, who refused to speak to the media, were forced to stand on the busy main road throughout the day after being accused of theft by the UDA.
John Bunting, north Belfast spokesman for the UDA-linked Ulster Political Research Group, last night defended the move, insisting that the loyalist paramilitary group had decided to 'name and shame' so-called anti-social elements instead of carrying out punishment shootings.
"A decision was taken in north Belfast that the UDA would move away from punishment shootings," he said.
"This was in keeping with the UDA's new policy regarding punishment attacks, set out in its statement last month."
But Mr Bunting insisted that the move was limited to north Belfast, saying that the UDA's five other 'brigade' areas had not yet adopted the new policy.
The UDA decision to abandon punishment attacks in favour of 'naming and shaming' those it judges to be involved in anti-social activities was last night criticised by a leading human rights campaigner.
"This is yet another incident in the long catalogue of terror by the UDA against the community it purports to defend," Professor Liam Kennedy of Queen's University Belfast said.
"The hypocrisy of self-app-ointed thugs meting out justice to others who may or may not be guilty of criminal activity is breathtaking."
Prof Kennedy said he doubted that anyone would agree to publicly admit involvement in anti-social behaviour unless they had been coerced with "the fear of even greater violence".
"The local rule of the UDA is based on terror and intimidation and is indifferent to any considerations of justice or human dignity," he said.
"We have a fine police force and it alone should investigate any allegations of wrongdoing.
"Trial by rumour, vigilante-style, has no place in a civilised society. But then, the UDA is not noted for its concern with civilised norms."
