Maze plan shows victims no respect
IN response to your excellent Morning View about the proposed Conflict Transformation Centre at the Maze (February 4), which finished with the question of ‘why perpetuate a living nightmare and cause further anguish for the multitude of victims?’ I would submit the following:
Many innocent victims and survivors whose loved ones were brutally murdered in some of the most horrific circumstances imaginable are incredulous at the position being adopted by their so-called political representatives.
Innocent civilian men, women and children like the ‘Widow’s mite’ story in the Bible gave all they had and paid the ultimate sacrifice.
What is now being supported by some unionist elected representatives is a betrayal of their memory.
Let us be clear: the feelings and right to justice for innocent victims and survivors has been all but sacrificed for a peace process which at its core provided cover and legitimisation for the actions of republican terrorists.
Innocent victims and survivors of terrorism have never, and will never decide the future of the peace process and not one family that I have ever spoken to wants anything but peace and a shared future based on equality and mutual respect for all.
However, justice, the fundamental cornerstone of any true democracy, is missing for innocent victims and survivors families to this very day.
Politicians through their support for the Maze project (which includes the retention of part of the H Block and the old hospital wing) have succeeded in re-traumatising victims’ families.
Their support for a socially toxic project (whether fulsome or tacit) is considered unforgivable by many innocent victims and survivors.
Innocent victims and survivors oppose this project not because we are anti-peace and prosperity, for this project has nothing to do with peace, reconciliation, mutual respect, equality or a shared future. It is morally and ethically wrong and cannot be allowed to go ahead.
This whole debacle is but a symptom of a chronic trend, begging the question: ‘when are those in pole position up at Stormont going to stop appeasing Sinn Fein and terrorism at the expense of innocent victims and survivors?’
Geoff Hamilton
Victims Voice
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Thursday 24 May 2012
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ardens
Friday, February 10, 2012 at 07:59 AMSickening to see Jeffrey Donaldson back this outrage. How he has changed since he sold his soul to the DUP. How can he ride the two horses of supporting victims and relatives of terrorists?
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