Campaign groups accuse politicians of “abject failure”

Campaign groups representing over 150 families who lost loved ones in Northern Ireland’s Troubles have labelled the Fresh Start agreement an “abject failure.” 

The criticism came from the Pat Finucane Centre and Justice for the Forgotten who took out a full page advert in a December edition of the Irish News. The groups claim the advert was a “sign of the anger, frustration and bitter disappointment” felt by all families involved. 

The Stormont House Agreement, signed in December 2014, contained measures to address the legacy of the Troubles. However, the recently agreed Fresh Start deal made no advance on these measures. 

“Families, whether Catholic or Protestant, from both communities, in the privacy of their own homes, are both angry and grieving,” the groups said. “With goodwill, common sense and respect for international legal standards, the legitimate wish of families to the truth they so earnestly desire and deserve can be achieved.

“We appeal to every concerned member of the public and all politicians, to renew their efforts to reach agreement on how to investigate the past. Now is the time to set the truth free.”

The root of the current impasse is the British Government’s desire to retain a veto. The veto would allow them to refuse to disclose certain historic documents on Troubles killings on national security grounds.

The groups have confirmed their desire to take further action and have not ruled out adverts appearing in British daily newspapers.