Hunger strike event branded ‘child abuse’ by victims’ group

An umbrella group representing thousands of victims of terrorism believes the NI Commissioner for Children and Young People should intervene to prevent potential “indoctrination” of young minds.

Kenny Donaldson of Innocent Victims United (IVU) said Koulla Yiasouma should closely monitor the programme of republican events for evidence of what many would consider to be “child abuse”.

Organised by the Bobby Sands Trust, the commemorative events will take place between March and October – including a junior GAA tournament in west Belfast and an evening in south Down where children will perform “music, songs and ballads on the hunger strikes”.

The programme of events states: “Each song will seek to incorporate imagery on the men and woman that were on hunger strike at the time. The use of young people in the event will act as an educational tool for them and others around our history and the sacrifices that were made.”

Ten members of the IRA and INLA had died by the time the prison protest ended in early October 1981. However, dozens of people – including police, soldiers and civilians – were killed as a result of an upsurge in violence during the hugely emotive hunger strikes.

Mr Donaldson urged “proactive involvement from the [children’s] commissioner and statutory agencies,” and added: “Parents of the children being targeted and politically groomed for these types of events need to waken up and realise the damage they are inflicting upon their children.”

He also said that, in his opinion, the south Down event is “nothing short of child abuse, and in a very sinister political form.”

The SEFF victims’ group’s south Down advocate Alan Lewis has described the south Down ‘Laughter of Our Children’ evening on May 5 as “using children to eulogise terrorists” and “beyond sickening”,

Commissioner Yiasouma has said that everyone organising commemoration events should respect children’s rights.

“We must all be mindful that children have a right to have a say in decision making, to access information in a balanced and open manner, to participate in cultural commemorations, and most importantly to be kept safe,” she said.

“When involving children and young people, adults must take account of their age and inherent vulnerability. There should always be the clear aim of education and it should never veer toward any form of indoctrination. It should allow young people to interpret what they hear themselves, in the light of their current context in 2021.

“Some children and young people will want to be involved, and they have a right to be. Some children and young people won’t want to be involved – and they have a right to this decision too.”

Ms Yiasouma added: “Others will want to engage in discussions about these matters, but may come to conclusions about the past that do not sit well with their elders in their communities – it is their right to do this also.

“Many of these commemoration events will not involve government agencies and as such are outside NICCY’s remit, but the commissioner trusts parents and guardians will make the right decisions for their children and always have their best interests at heart.”

The Bobby Sands Trust has not yet responded to a request for comment.

READ: Tsar’s warning over potential ‘indoctrination’ of children

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