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When 2020 started, who would have thought it was going to be such a strange year.  Covid-19 has dominated our lives and also the news over the past 10 months or so.

It certainly has made us think about how we do business and how we interact with each other and particularly our loved ones.

However, while we have to deal with the immediacy of the pandemic, for many of the victims we represent, and their families, their lives have been very different for some time. Losing a loved one or suffering from mental and physical injuries through no fault of their own is an everyday issue for them and has been, for some, for many years.

Throughout 2020 the issues that have faced Ulster Human Rights Watch and those they represent have included dealing with individual cases, writing narratives, addressing legacy of the past proposals, supporting the Victims’ Pension Scheme and calling for a public inquiry into the La Mon House atrocity.

July this year saw our campaign in the News Letter share the stories of some victims, highlighting the never-ending effect of the past on their day-to-day lives. It did not make for easy listening and viewing.

As the Christmas break approaches, we wish to thank you all for your contribution, support, help and encouragement over the past year and assure you of our continued support for victims of terrorism in the coming 12 months.

Let’s hope that the much-delayed Victims’ Pension Scheme will finally be implemented in 2021 and that life will be eased somewhat for those who receive it.

We wish you and your families a very happy and peaceful Christmas and best wishes for 2021.

From all at Ulster Human Rights Watch

Ulster Human Rights Watch (UHRW) confirms that it was not informed about secret talks on legacy at the invitation of the Archbishop of Canterbury in Lambeth Palace.

UHRW Advocacy Manager, Axel Schmidt, said: “It is most surprising, to say the least, that secret talks should take place to deal with the legacy of the past –  if such has indeed been the case.

“UHRW has received assurances from the Government that the consultation process that was initiated by Karen Bradley in relation to dealing with the past would be an open one, giving everyone in Northern Ireland and particularly victims of terrorism the opportunity to be involved in defining what would be the best way forward to address the past while pursuing truth, justice and acknowledgement.

“It would be interesting to know who took the initiative to organise these secret talks, why they were kept secret, what criteria were used to choose those invited to take part, what the agenda was, what the aim pursued by these talks was and whether these talks are part of a new process – in which case what is this new process about?

“UHRW has made substantial representations with the Government in relation to addressing issues concerning the past and will continue to do so. On behalf of victims of terrorism, I will be writing to Mr Brandon Lewis, Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, to ask him for clarification as to what these secret talks were about.”

Ulster Human Rights Watch (UHRW) is asking the Taoiseach, Micheál Martin, to support a call for a Public Inquiry into the La Mon PIRA atrocity forty-two years ago.

A similar call was made to the Secretary of State, Brandon Lewis, earlier this week.

Following a letter sent to Mr Martin, UHRW Advocacy Manager, Axel Schmidt, says: “We are leaving no stone unturned to pursue this matter, which is why we are reaching out to you. Dublin can exercise its influence and work with victims of terrorism to get all the facts exposed. Your Government can be seen as a force for good if it supports our demand and makes a stand with us on behalf of all the innocent victims in Northern Ireland, particularly those who still suffer grievously as a result of this appalling act.”

UHRW represents fifteen of the victims of the bomb attack which killed twelve innocent people and injured 24 others, described by Lord Justice Gibson as ‘the most horrific in the history of this community.

In his letter, Mr Schmidt says: “It would appear that all those responsible for this heinous crime, although identified by one of the bombers, were never arrested or questioned and the Historical Enquiries Team (HET), who reviewed the investigation of this case, concealed from the victims and their families the fact that the identities of other members of the bombing team were known to the police.

“The pursuit of truth, justice and acknowledgement in this case warrants that, after 42 years, the victims of this barbaric act of terrorism and their families be provided with the identity of those involved and a full account of their involvement in ordering, planning and executing of this atrocity.

“They also deserve a thorough explanation as to why the HET deemed it necessary to conceal the fact that the identity of those involved was known to the security forces. As a result, a public inquiry has been requested and I would kindly ask you to fully support this demand.

“Pressure applied for a Public Inquiry from the Government of the Republic of Ireland would be seen as justified and the UHRW calls upon it to take this action.”