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12/04/2019
Alliance: Historic Abuse Victims Being Let Down By Stormont Impasse
The DUP and Sinn Fein's refusal to establish an Executive and restore power sharing is responsible for prolonging the suffering of victims and survivors of institutional abuse, Alliance MLA Paula Bradshaw said.
The south Belfast MLA was speaking after the High Court ruled there was no legal failure by Secretary of State Karen Bradley to implement a redress scheme in the absence of power sharing.
Compensation payments of up to £100,000, as recommended by the Hart Inquiry over two years ago, are yet to be distributed to victims.
"I am utterly devastated for the victims and survivors of institutional abuse after today's court verdict," said Ms Bradshaw. "Implementation of this scheme and other recommendations should not have been delayed by years and should not have needed to end up in the legal system. Responsible parties would long ago have overcome their differences, not least for the sake of victims and survivors, whose suffering has now been prolonged again.
"Listening to the interviews conducted by those victims and survivors after today's verdict would have drawn blood from a stone. I call on Arlene Foster and Michelle O'Neill to show compassion and do their part to help end the pain for victims and their loved ones.
"It is totally unacceptable victims' suffering is being enhanced rather than addressed by politicians' failure to get their act together in both Belfast and London. Regardless of today's verdict, this intergenerational political failure to take action shames them all."
(JG/CM)
The south Belfast MLA was speaking after the High Court ruled there was no legal failure by Secretary of State Karen Bradley to implement a redress scheme in the absence of power sharing.
Compensation payments of up to £100,000, as recommended by the Hart Inquiry over two years ago, are yet to be distributed to victims.
"I am utterly devastated for the victims and survivors of institutional abuse after today's court verdict," said Ms Bradshaw. "Implementation of this scheme and other recommendations should not have been delayed by years and should not have needed to end up in the legal system. Responsible parties would long ago have overcome their differences, not least for the sake of victims and survivors, whose suffering has now been prolonged again.
"Listening to the interviews conducted by those victims and survivors after today's verdict would have drawn blood from a stone. I call on Arlene Foster and Michelle O'Neill to show compassion and do their part to help end the pain for victims and their loved ones.
"It is totally unacceptable victims' suffering is being enhanced rather than addressed by politicians' failure to get their act together in both Belfast and London. Regardless of today's verdict, this intergenerational political failure to take action shames them all."
(JG/CM)
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