🕊️ European Remembrance Day for Victims of Terrorism

• European Remembrance Day for Victims of Terrorism was observed to honour the victims of the 2004 Madrid bombings and all victims of terrorism across Europe.

• Gavin Robinson (DUP) highlighted the impact of terrorism on the UK Parliament, mentioning MPs Jo Cox and David Amess who were killed while serving. He also noted several historical plaques at Parliament commemorating MPs killed by Irish republican terrorists.

• Legacy Issues in Northern Ireland were discussed, with a focus on the ongoing effects of past conflicts. Robinson mentioned his recent meetings with victims’ groups in Northern Ireland, highlighting the desire for truth and justice among the victims.

• Victims’ Voices were represented, with specific mention of the county of Fermanagh where 42 people were killed, predominantly by republican terrorists. The victims’ call for justice and truth was a recurring theme.

• Criticism of the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023 was raised, expressing opposition to the Act’s approach to handling legacy issues and its failure to deliver justice for victims.

• Irish Government and Legacy Issues faced criticism for their handling of legacy matters related to the Troubles, including their reluctance to hold an inquiry into the Omagh bombing, which had a cross-border dimension.

• Support for an Irish Inquiry into the Omagh Bombing was expressed by multiple speakers, emphasizing the necessity of Irish cooperation for a comprehensive investigation into the tragedy.

• Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland was criticized for a lack of confidence in her office, particularly in relation to handling cases like the Kingsmill massacre, where survivors like Alan Black are still seeking justice.

• Fleur Anderson (Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Northern Ireland) responded, acknowledging the pain caused by terrorism, and outlined the government’s actions to address legacy issues, including amendments to the legacy Act and the establishment of an Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery.

• Commitment to Victims and Ongoing Efforts towards peace, justice, and reconciliation were affirmed by the minister, with a tribute to those continuing to live with the effects of terrorism.

The parliamentary session on the European Remembrance Day for Victims of Terrorism shows a moderate level of disagreement, primarily centered around the handling of legacy issues related to terrorism in Northern Ireland. The debate is characterized by a shared commitment to addressing victims’ needs and seeking justice, truth, and reconciliation, but differences in approach and perspective are evident. Here are the key points of disagreement and examples that support this rating:

1. Legacy Act and Justice vs. Truth: There is a clear disagreement on the approach to the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023. Gavin Robinson expresses opposition to the Act, arguing that it denies justice by conditioning it on the provision of truth. Similarly, Jim Allister and other members criticize it for not adequately addressing the needs of victims. In contrast, Fleur Anderson, the Minister, mentions the government’s efforts to correct the Act’s deficiencies, particularly in removing the conditional immunity scheme, indicating a differing perspective on how to address legacy issues. This issue is exemplified by Robinson’s statement, “For the last number of years, the terminology from this Chamber has been very clearly, ‘You’re not going to get justice, but we can offer you truth. And the only way you can get truth is if we deny justice.’”.

2. Role of the Irish Government: There is significant frustration with the Irish Government’s lack of action and co-operation on legacy issues, particularly around the Omagh bombing. Several members, including Robinson and Gregory Campbell, criticize the Irish Government for not holding an inquiry and for their historical reluctance to engage in legacy matters. This disagreement is clear when Robinson states, “The Irish Government have singularly failed to do anything on legacy apart from criticise the British Government for the past 30 years.”. However, the Minister responds with a more diplomatic approach, noting the political assurances from the Irish Government and their efforts to facilitate co-operation through a memorandum of understanding, suggesting a less critical stance.

3. Police Ombudsman and Institutional Trust: Disagreement is evident in the trust towards the Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland. Gavin Robinson expresses a lack of confidence and criticizes the Ombudsman’s handling of specific cases, such as the Kingsmill murders. He states, “Yet I am sorry to say in this debate today that we have a police ombudsman in whom I have no confidence—none whatsoever.”. Conversely, the Minister acknowledges the Ombudsman’s return to work and the challenges faced by the office, suggesting a more cautious and supportive stance.

While the debate does show some underlying disagreements, particularly on policy and institutional effectiveness, the overall tone remains respectful and focused on the shared goal of supporting victims. The disagreements do not escalate to outright confrontation, and there is a clear effort from all members to find common ground in addressing the legacy of terrorism. Therefore, the session is rated a 2 for disagreement, reflecting a moderate but not overwhelming level of contention.