It is shameful that neither Stormont nor Westminster is showing any urgency in fixing the victims’ pension

Seventy-five days since innocent victims of terrorism should have been able to apply, qualify and receive their first payments.

By now, hundreds if not thousands of victims of some of the most appalling and cowardly acts perpetrated in Northern Ireland should have received the long overdue official recognition they earnestly seek.

Seventy-five days on, nothing has happened to give any of us confidence that the barrier to the commencement of the scheme is being addressed.

Frankly, it is shameful that neither Stormont nor Westminster is showing any sense of urgency in fixing what needs to be fixed. The delay is unconscionable.

For this reason, Ulster Human Rights Watch (UHRW) has asked that the parties in the Northern Ireland Executive who adhere to democracy and oppose terrorism state clearly what their position is over the scheme.

It’s worth reminding these parties that the legislation which established the scheme was passed in Westminster and is, therefore, part of the statute book. How could any of the parties expect to get it changed in Stormont?

The Stormont institutions have exhibited a chronic inability to do what’s right for our victims of terrorism. In a situation where we have political stalemate, it must surely be up to the Government in Westminster to intervene. What is required is for Westminster to modify the present regulations so that the scheme can be administered by a London Government Department.

After all, it is indeed a national scheme and it affects more than just victims of terrorism in Northern Ireland. Scores of innocent people in mainland Britain, and elsewhere, were also made victims by terrorists.

At national level, it is unacceptable for Government Ministers to sit on their hands and wait for the issue to be resolved at Stormont. If their inaction is borne out of a feat of causing a political hiatus in Belfast, then it seems to be misjudged and misplaced.

The failure to get on with this scheme has left many innocent victims feeling marginalised. Indeed, many who suffer in silence view their painful existence as an embarrassment to officialdom. The treatment meted out to them has been utterly reprehensible.

Ministers must do what is morally right to help good people, abandoned, tortured and tormented people, who have suffered long enough.

In twenty-five days, we will reach 100 days without a resolution. The hope has to be that we will not be back here marking yet another shameful milestone.

Axel Schmidt is advocacy manager at Ulster Human Rights Watch

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