The NIO is not delivering on its promise of a balanced, proportionate, transparent, fair and equitable process for dealing with the past.
Ulster Unionist MLA Mike Nesbitt says the public should insist the proposed Historical Inquiries Unit (HIU) investigates Troubles related injuries as well as deaths. The Northern Ireland Office last week gave the main parties sight of their proposed consultation document on dealing with the past, including the setting up of the new bodies proposed in the Stormont House talks.
Mike Nesbitt said:
“As proposed, the HIU will be a parallel police force, with the same powers of investigation and arrest as the PSNI, but as constituted the HIU will not hold the IRA to account for the many thousands of injuries inflicted on society through their campaign of no warning car bombs.
“Police records suggest there were some 15,000 bombings during the Troubles, leaving many thousands with life changing injuries, but in the cases where no one died as a result of the explosion, there will be no HIU investigation.
“So, if you went out armed to the teeth intending to cause death and destruction and ended up dead, your family are entitled to a full investigation by the HIU. But if you went to the shops for a newspaper and lost your legs in a no warning bomb explosion, the HIU don’t want to know.
“This is utterly perverse. The IRA and the other terrorist organisations must be held fully to account for their actions, which have resulted in so many of our fellow citizens being denied their rights in education, employment and social inclusion.
“Over 40,000 people were injured during the Troubles, many in bomb attacks, which were perpetrated exclusively by terrorist groups, mainly the Provisional IRA. Yet the NIO proposes to deal with the past in a manner that ignores the harm caused by terrorist groups.
“The public should use the consultation as an opportunity to demand answers. Why are these bombings, attributed to terrorists, not part of our legacy investigations? Why are those left with life shattering injuries not seen as deserving of investigation? These are civilians, soldiers, policemen and police women. What about those subject to tarring and feathering, punishment shootings and beatings or those driven out of the country? How about the women who were victims of Troubles related sex crimes or those who went to an early grave traumatised as a direct result of the Troubles?
“The NIO promised proposals that are ‘balanced, proportionate, transparent, fair and equitable’. To exclude 40,000 injured citizens is patently none of the above.”