SEFF will fight to ensure the integrity of ‘the past’ is preserved
Much has been said in recent times by government ministers, including Lord Caine, concerning the Legacy and Reconciliation Bill. It is clear that the fast-forward button has been deployed and the intent is to have the bill passed through parliament ahead of the summer recess.
The South East Fermanagh Foundation (SEFF) has been clear for 10 years and more that the current system does not deliver meaningful outcomes for innocent victims/survivors of terrorism. The limited ‘progress’ to have been achieved has been for those who have undergone the coronial inquest process and who have alleged wrongdoing by the UK state. The overwhelming majority of those cases which remain in the inquest queue relate to this constituency who account for less than 10 per cent of Troubles-related deaths.
The new process proposed under the Legacy and Reconciliation Bill proposes to provide conditional immunity on the basis that perpetrators engage constructively with the new Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery (ICRIR) process. This process claims to be victim-centred yet it is precisely the opposite. The victim must approach the body and ask for their case to be examined and therefore are complicit with immunity being granted to the perpetrator. Government has underestimated the psychological impact this would have upon so many victims/survivors who have stood by the rule of the law for their full lives.
SEFF’s purpose as an organisation is to assist those who have been directly impacted by terrorism and ‘other Troubles-related criminal violence’ to make the transition from victim-survivor as part of a process of personal healing and of reclaiming control from those who had previously stolen power from them.
The impact of this legislation will be to disempower the individual and many have indicated that it would turn back time in redefining their status as ‘victim’ once more, for to be a survivor and to thrive there must be the existence of hope and an assuredness that right will prevail.
The UK state, alongside the Irish state, has overseen a process of appeasement of terrorism for 25 years-plus and it has brought us to where we are today. Cruelly innocents of terrorism are being challenged; the state does not have the will to bring about better outcomes for you and to ensure justice and accountability are delivered, but we are asking that you assent to us closing off the potential for others to attack us.
We will fight tooth and nail in ensuring that the integrity of ‘the past’ is preserved.
KENNY DONALDSON
South East Fermanagh Foundation,
Co Fermanagh
Urgent need for childcare reform
Childcare should never be a luxury, but that is what it is becoming in Northern Ireland. Lack of investment has left us lagging behind other parts of the UK and Ireland. This is not a crisis of the future, but a crisis of now.
As a mum, one of the reasons I wanted to run for election was to reform our childcare system. I’ve heard story after story from parents about the harsh reality of the costs of childcare and the impact it is having on their lives. Lack of access and affordability is punishing children, parents and families who are forced into tough choices about finances, ability to work and the childcare they can afford. This is having a particular effect on women, many of whom are being left with no option but to reduce working hours or leave the workplace altogether.
The lack of a Childcare Strategy here compounds the situation, especially with no sitting Assembly or Executive to implement any potential future strategy. However, any strategy cannot simply be another document gathering dust. Reform of childcare must be delivered urgently.
Alongside the unavailability of affordable childcare, the lack of a right to flexible working in Northern Ireland is creating a perfect storm for our society and economy, limiting our potential and holding our parents and carers back.
That is why I intend to bring forward a Private Member’s Bill to strengthen the right to flexible working when the Assembly returns. While not all parents will want to make use of it, providing the option would be an important step towards giving greater opportunities to make our economy more inclusive and accessible.
The provision of high-quality, affordable childcare is crucial in ensuring our children have the best start in life and also provides significant benefits to parents, carers, employers, and our local communities. We urgently need to restore the Executive to prioritise it.
KATE NICHOLL MLA
Alliance, South Belfast
SF’s attitude perfectly legitimate
The main thrust of Newton Emerson’s article – ‘Is Sinn Féin repositioning again?’ (June 15) – as I read it, is his perspective on Sinn Féin reviewing policies and practices and examining them and how they fit with meeting and managing best to deal with the exigencies confronting people here.
To me this is a perfectly legitimate and dynamic attitude of a political party. The party continues to make its ultimate goal clear – a united Ireland – while it strives to resolve the many challenges of life here.
On the other hand, the DUP continues its single-minded pursuit of ‘Britishness’ at all costs. It trumps all. And we have watched the out-workings of this, its support of Brexit: its sheer naivety at Johnson’s bluff, bluster and lies and its continued course of punishing people by its boycott.
Reading Mr Emerson’s piece I wasn’t sure whether or not he was talking in the negative of Sinn Féin’s efforts to manage change while pursuing its goal. Surely, I thought, that is what a democratic system is about. But who knows, maybe we will have another article by him on the DUP, which might include a question on whether the DUP should keep the first name on its logo – democratic – given its past and current form.
MANUS McDAID
Derry City
Remember golden rules of logical thinking
Whatever points Fionnuala O Connor was trying to make in her article – ‘Reflections on outrage old and new’ (June 20) – about prejudicial views and attitudes against gay people, she should remember at least two of the golden rules of logical thinking.
Fionnuala appears to portray the entire population of Sandy Row in a negative and derogatory light. I should point out that it is not logical to argue from the general to the particular. The other glaring issue with this piece is based on the solid principles of what is called ‘argumentum ad hominem’.
Fionnuala is a good writer but she should refrain from attacking an entire community and tarring them all with the same brush.
Many people from Sandy Row are liberally minded, free thinking and very tolerant.
EDMUND McCULLOUGH
Ballynahinch, Co Down
