New victims' group to offer legal advice
A NEW province-wide victims' group was launched yesterday at Parliament Buildings.
Justice for Innocent Victims of Terrorism (JIVT) said it aims to fill a gap in current service provision for victims by providing legal advice and advocacy support to people engaging with the PSNI’s Historical Enquiries Team (HET).
Ulster Unionist deputy leader Danny Kennedy is one of a number of MLA sponsors for the group.
“There is a clear need for this service, especially for those from security force backgrounds who identify themselves as innocent victims,” he said.
“The idea is to provide a resource to guide people through engagement with HET or truth recovery processes. This would include emotional support for the trauma of the experience.”
The Long Gallery was the scene yesterday for the launch of JIVT’s preliminary research into the experiences and needs of families engaging with HET.
Among those present were politicians, OFMDFM, Special EU Programmes Body, victim/survivor groups and Victims Commission representatives.
JIVT is comprised of a broad range of representatives from victim/survivor groups and other affected individuals from across Northern Ireland.
Afterwards, a statement from the group’s management committee said: “Our organisation is fundamentally opposed to any suggestion of an ‘amnesty for terrorists’.
“Where evidential lines continue to exist, the government and its law enforcement agencies have a duty of care to victims and all citizens (for that matter) to investigate and ensure due process is followed.
“Innocent victims have been used as ‘pawns’ by the political process too often and we will not acquiesce in any further erosion of natural justice.”
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Weather for Belfast
Monday 28 May 2012
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Temperature: 12 C to 23 C
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