First terror victims day questioned for lack of attention to Northern Ireland: Future UK-wide events need Troubles dead 'front and centre with other atrocities', says body
Northern Ireland isn’t featuring enough in a UK-wide day for victims of terrorism, an Ulster body has said after the event was staged for the first time.
Last Friday, Prime Minister Andy Burnham joined 300 survivors of terror attacks and grieving relatives of people who lost their lives in them – among them 14 people from Northern Ireland, who went as part of a delegation organised by SEFF, a victims group in the province.
Along with the PM, the London event heard from survivors of 21st century Islamist atrocities, as well as a senior member of the emergency services who deals with crisis incidents.
But no one from Northern Ireland formally addressed the crowd and dignitaries, despite the long and terrible history of paramilitary killings and maimings here.
Now SEFF’s director says while the event was a welcome one after long campaigns to set it up and Mr Burnham’s appearance was a symbol of its importance, there was a notable lack of attention to the province’s Troubles victims, which he feels needs to be corrected in future years.
Kenny Donaldson told the News Letter: “We fully understand that Northern Ireland is one aspect of the wider picture of terrorism, but on the basis of scale there is a need for a fuller integration of these issues.
“We’ve worked hard to build relationships with other groups of victims and survivors of terrorism across the UK and beyond, and have established several partnerships.
“Whoever the perpetrators, victims and survivors of terrorism see each other equally and they understand each other’s rights. Government sometimes does not fulfil this in the same way and should be prepared to hear that, to self-reflect and then move forward in a more inclusive way.”
The Troubles saw more than 3,000 people killed in terror attacks as well as countless others injured or traumatised, he reinforced, arguing those victims “should be appropriately reflected”.
Stated Mr Donaldson: “The experience of innocent victims of terrorism in the Northern Ireland context must be featured within next year’s formal event, placed front and centre alongside other terror atrocities.
“It is our hope that next year regions across the UK will organise specific events marking the day, and we will be calling upon local authorities and others to get on board. Buildings should be illuminated as a policy directive, not because victims and survivors have to beg for it – though we do recognise those public authorities who in recent years have read the room and are now much more proactive in progressing such issues.
“But we will insist that specific events and initiatives need to be organised, focusing on the issues and needs of innocent victims and survivors of terrorism. The same recognition must be afforded to victims here as will be across the United Kingdom.”
Last week’s inaugural National Day for Victims and Survivors of Terrorism was held in City of Westminster mansion Lancaster House, and is to happen again every August 21, the same date as an international version of the day run by the United Nations.
The London event saw the Prime Minister pledge to consult victims and survivors on creating a permanent national memorial.