Alliance Party Deputy Leader Eileen Bell has called on
all groups to ensure that there can be no monopoly on
suffering, and no association of victims rights with
any specific religious tradition.
Speaking after a meeting with justice sector
officials, the North Down MLA stated: ‘It is the
height of irresponsibility to associate victims’
rights and victim support with any specific religious
or political affiliation. Whatever Nationalists have
claimed in the past, and whatever Loyalists were
claiming this very week, there is no monopoly on
suffering.
‘The hypocrisy of many people who have yet to accept
their responsibility in causing the conflict then
claiming that they represent the victims is truly
staggering. Any genuine settlement will be based on
the fundamental acceptance that people from right
across Northern Ireland, and beyond, suffered as a
result of a totally unnecessary conflict which solved
nothing.
‘The vast majority of those who have grieved for loved
ones, and those who were injured during the conflict,
do not see their quest for rights and support as
anything to do with religious and party politics. It
is to do with basic human decency. It is time we all
remembered that.’
ENDS