Vigil held for terror victims at European Parliament

Mr Nicholson made the pledge in the European Parliament on Tuesday where “a moment of silence” was held to remember innocent victims of terrorism.

The event was organised by Spanish MEPs in response to a recent visit to the parliament by a recently released Basque separatist prisoner.

Mr Nicholson emphasised the need for a co-ordinated approach to challenge efforts to glorify terrorism.

“All terrorism is evil and should always be condemned. No political cause - whether it is Irish republicanism, Basque separatism or radical Islamism - ever justifies such violence.

“Similarly, the fight against the re-writing of history is not unique to one country or one cause. For example, in both Northern Ireland and in Spain, innocent victims of terrorism are at the forefront of challenging narratives that seek to re-write history and glorify terrorism,” said the MEP.

“I was delighted to attend the vigil in the European Parliament on the invitation of Spanish MEPs Teresa Jiménez-Becerril and Maite Pagazaurtundúa to remember the innocent victims of terrorism not only in the Basque country, but across Europe and beyond.

“These women have been tireless in their work as campaigners and advocates for innocent victims. Indeed, they have in recent times been able to build networks with our own innocent victims’ community in Northern Ireland.

“Whether it be in Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland, UK or across the EU, with colleagues across Europe we will never stand for a moral equivalence between victims and victim-makers,” Mr Nicholson added.