Commission set up in wake of ‘Flag Protests’ must rid us of all loyalist and republican terror monuments, says victims group IVU
A role for a body looking at issues of flags and parades was proposed by US diplomat Richard Haas in December 2013, after months of widespread disruption across Northern Ireland caused by the so called ‘Flag Protests’.
The loyalist protests, sparked by a vote in Belfast City Council, saw restrictions placed on flying the Union Flag from City Hall.
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Hide AdAfter Mr Haas’ recommendations, in December 2014 the Stormont House Agreement provided that a Commission on Flags, Identity, Culture and Tradition would be appointed, comprising of 15 members.
Initially due to report in Autumn 2016, the BBC has reported the commission submit its final report soon.
But South Armagh man Kenny Donaldson, spokesman for Innocent Victims United, said the commission must go far beyond the issue of flags.
“As an organisation which supports innocent victims/survivors of terrorism, we had raised at the beginning and during the body’s work that a core issue was the erection and retention of memorials dotted across our landscape which glorify and romanticise terrorism,” he said. “If memorials to terror have been illegally erected then they should be removed.”
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Hide AdStrenuous attempts have been made to legitimise such monuments using the official planning process, he said. “So there is a need for the legislation which governs this issue to be robustly tightened.”
“Whether it’s memorials or displays to individuals such as Seamus McElwaine, PIRA, Billy Wright, LVF, or those responsible for the Miami Showband attack, all are wrong and must cease.”
It is understood that papers on various issues have been circulated to commissioners over the years, but that no agreement has been reached on anything.
Asked whether the final recommendations are likely to focus on the legacy of the flag protests or whether it would also reflect concerns about terror monuments, neither the Commission nor the Executive Office gave anything away.
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Hide AdA Commission spokeswoman said: “The Commission is close to concluding its work and will provide a final report, with findings and recommendations, to the First Minister and deputy First Minister in the coming weeks for their consideration.’
The Executive Office added: “The work of the Commission on Flags, Identity, Culture and Tradition is currently being concluded. It is anticipated that a final report will be submitted later this month. Ministers look forward to receiving the report and considering its findings and recommendations at that time.”
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