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Ulster Human Rights Watch (UHRW) has paid tribute to its Chairman Robert Campbell who died suddenly on Wednesday 8th April.

UHRW Advocacy Manager Axel Schmidt said: “Bertie was steadfast and unwavering in his fight to get justice for innocent victims of terrorism. He never stepped back or wavered.

“Bertie was a Champion for victims of terrorism for over 30 years and the driving force behind UHRW.

“He was enormously well respected and admired. He gave freely of his time and was our valued friend who was always available to our small team whenever they sought his advice or guidance.

“Above all, Bertie was a man who loved the Lord Jesus Christ and was guided by his hand in everything that he did.
“In 2022, Bertie succeeded our first Chairman, Sir William Wright CBE, and from its inception in 2002, served as our Managing Director. He brought considerable experience and expertise from his previous career in Marketing and Public Relations whilst working with British Telecom at Board National level.

“His death is keenly felt by all at UHRW.”

A thanksgiving service is to be held at Lurgan Baptist Church at 1.00pm on Tuesday 14th April.

This week the Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery (ICRIR) have announced that they are carrying out an investigation into the murder of 18 members of the Parachute Regiment by Provisional IRA terrorists, at Narrow Water near Warrenpoint, on 27 August 1979. This was the highest death toll suffered by the British Army during the Troubles. UHRW has welcomed the announcement of this development and has expressed confidence in the competence and motivation of ICRIR to deal with an atrocity of such significance in an effective and thorough manner.

UHRW Advocacy Officer Jonathan Larner said, ‘Many questions about Narrow Water remain unanswered. Central to progress with an investigation will be the extent to which the Republic of Ireland are willing to engage with ICRIR, bearing in mind that the murder was perpetrated from their territory and that suspects were arrested by Gardaí. Unfortunately, we would be concerned that assistance is unlikely to be forthcoming, despite the rhetoric of the Irish Government on Legacy issues and their clear obligations as signatory to the Belfast Agreement.’

Ulster Human Rights Watch is calling on the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission to give the Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery (ICRIR) a chance to prove itself before rushing to pre-judge its work and handing out brickbats.

UHRW Advocacy Manager Axel Schmidt said: “The assertions made by the Chief Commissioner of the NI Human Rights Commission lack even the flimsiest of evidence.

“The comments seek to undermine the ICRIR are paint a picture of it lacking independence. This flies in the face of High Court and Appeal Court rulings as well as UK Supreme Court determination, which is conveniently overlooked or ignored by Chief Commissioner.

“It would be far better, and certainly a more productive route to take, if the Human Rights body adopted a more constructive position before rushing to pre-judge the work of the ICRIR and handing out brickbats.

“Calling into question those who lead the ICRIR is akin to doing it down before it properly gets off the starting line.

“UHRW has a productive and business-like relationship with the ICRIR and in all dealings, we have found it to be open, transparent and willing to do its best. At no point, or in any case, did we see it seeking to obfuscate or frustrate.

“We will judge the ICRIR on the work it does for victims of terrorism – all victims of crime. Sadly, the Human Rights Commission doesn’t appear willing to give it the same opportunity which reflects poorly on that body and the people who are charged with ensuring human rights are upheld.”