The Labour Party is tonight calling for the establishment of a truth and reconciliation commission on Northern Ireland.

The Labour Party is tonight calling for the establishment of a truth and reconciliation commission to deal with “all issues relating to the past in connection with truth recovery, truth and justice and reconciliation” in Northern Ireland.

The proposals are contained within the party’s submission to the all-party talks on dealing with the past, parades and the flying of flags, which is being chaired by the US diplomat Richard Hass.

Following a week in which Stormont raised concerns over the alleged role of Gerry Adams in the ‘disappeared’ and Northern Ireland’s attorney general called for an end to prosecutions against those involved in the troubles prior to the Good Friday Agreement, Labour is calling for the Northern Ireland executive to establish a commission with a five year mandate, chaired by a “credible international figure”.

Other recommendations include:

• Reforms to the police Historical Enquiries Team to ensure it is “totally independent” and has all the powers it needs to do its job properly. Such powers should, Labour conclude, include the ability for the team to examine themes such as paramilitary activity generally, and not just specific events.

• Consideration should be given to the creation of a specific Bank Holiday to celebrate the peace processes with events and activities designed to celebrate political, societal, economic progress and showcase positive examples of reconciliation.

• The transparency of the Parades Commission should be improved, with all decisions accompanied by an explanation consistent with publicly available criteria. Local and national politicians should be expected to support the Commission’s decisions once due process has been followed.

• All parties should reach and support a compromise agreement on the flying of flags over public buildings. “The basis of such an agreement”, Labour argue “would be to accept the precedent currently applied to government buildings and Stormont which recognizes that Northern Ireland is part of the United Kingdom, whereby the Union flag will fly on agreed designated days.”

Publishing the proposals, shadow Northern Ireland secretary Ivan Lewis said:

“The Haass Talks come at a crucial moment for Northern Ireland. It is essential all Northern Ireland parties supported by the UK and Irish governments use this opportunity to agree a comprehensive strategy for dealing with the past. This will require courageous and visionary political leadership which puts the interests of victims and their families ahead of party political considerations.

“Our submission is rooted in the principle of parity of esteem for all communities in Northern Ireland. We propose a comprehensive framework to address the complex issues of truth, justice and reconciliation with the needs of victims and their families put centre stage.

“Our proposals on reconciliation build on positive initiatives both at a grassroots level and by the Northern Ireland executive. They are the key to providing a ‘bridge’ from the past to the future. Our ambition should be to move from a cold peace to a warm peace within a decade.”

One Response to “Labour call for truth and reconciliation commission in Northern Ireland”

1. 

   Simon

   November 22, 2013

   they
   need to establish their own truth and reconciliation commission to
   investigate their own filth and corruption! Rent boys, drugs and dodgy
   donations!

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