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Survivors and relatives of the La Mon bombing have gathered to mark the forty-fifth anniversary of the terrorist atrocity.

Twelve people perished and thirty were injured in the PIRA incendiary bomb attack.

The group gathered at Lisburn Civic Centre and took part in a short religious Service followed by the laying of floral tributes at a seat bench which commemorates the horrific event.

The event was organised by Ulster Human Rights Watch which advocates and campaigns on behalf of innocent victims of terrorism.

UHRW Advocacy Manager, Axel Schmidt, said: “This annual commemoration is a solemn occasion when we can remember those innocent people who were murdered and those who were left with appalling, life-changing burn injuries.

“This was cold-blooded savagery that should never be forgotten. We have asked for a Public Inquiry into what happened and have been met with rejection and delays at every turn.

“We find this inexplicable as do the victims and survivors of La Mon, and their wider family circles.

“Today, we renew our demand for a Public Inquiry to get answers to important questions around those involved and alleged collusion. The people we represent deserve nothing less.

“We have people who continue to live with horrific injuries. For them, there should be full disclosure of information held by the Police, and even if there is only the slenderest of prospects to secure convictions, then that should be pursued to conclusion.

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Ulster Human Rights Watch (UHRW) is calling on the Government to withdraw what it says is the ‘indecent and callous’ legacy Bill.

UHRW Advocacy Manager, Axel Schmidt, said: “The Government should realise that it has driven into a cul-de-sac with its Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Bill. It should also realise that it would be a sign of strength if it took this Bill off the table.

“UHRW isn’t interested in heaving embarrassment on the Government but rather persuading Ministers this Bill is a travesty and defective. It’s an indecent and callous draft law and one that should never see the light of day in its present form, unless amended as suggested in UHRW submission.

“Innocent victims and families are bereft and feel marginalised and ignored. So far, they haven’t been listened to or shown any consideration by Ministers.

“We’re at the eleventh hour but there’s still time to do the decent thing. The Government should be on the side of innocent victims of terrorism and not creating the circumstances where a line would be drawn under appalling acts in the past with victims and their families denied any prospect of justice.”

Ulster Human Rights Watch (UHRW) says the Legacy Bill is a shameful betrayal of innocent victims of terrorism by Westminster.

The human rights charity calls on Government Ministers to re-think the Bill in the face of widespread opposition from political parties and victim groups.

UHRW Advocacy Manager, Axel Schmidt, said: “The Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Bill is nothing more than a sop to the terrorists who inflicted such pain and anguish on the whole community.

“Lip-service is paid to innocent victims and even the new amendments brought forward by the Government do nothing to assuage genuinely held concerns.

“This Bill denies justice, closes the door to making the guilty amenable for their heinous crimes and says bluntly to victims that they don’t matter.

“This is all about political expediency. If Ministers had any sense, they would act on the advice we have offered and amend this obnoxious piece of draft legislation.

“We know that in many cases going back to the seventies there is little or no prospect of bringing those who shot and bombed to Court. However, in the handful of cases where there is a slim chance of a prosecution, surely that should be the focus and main priority. Terrorists should never be given the possibility to get off the hook.

“The relatives of victims of terrorism cannot be cast aside to the margins. They should be front and centre, yet this Bill offers them little respect and fails to deal with their legitimate demands.

“Instead, the emphasis is incorrectly on drawing a line on the past, leaving countless crimes unsolved and causing victims to feel they have been ignored and disrespected. This Legacy Bill is a shameful betrayal of innocent victims of terrorism by Westminster.”