20/10/2008

Troubles' Truth Commission May Sit For Five Years

A new Commission to examine incidents from the Troubles is being recommended by the group looking at ways of dealing with these past atrocities.

Working within a fixed five-year period, terrorists would be granted a form of immunity as part of a 'truth process', according to a draft report that has been circulated today.

Sources with a knowledge of the long-awaited document say it suggests a private "information" forum in which paramilitary killers would be encouraged to divulge what they know about murders. The evidence they provide would not be admissible in court.

However, the Bradley-Eames 'Consultative Group On The Past' (both men are pictured above) seems to be stopping short of proposing a full amnesty for terrorists.

Instead, these forums would take place only after investigators have advised that no conviction is likely in a case.

The suggested Commission would then ask the families of victims if they want to know details about what happened.

If the families agree, they would then call on those responsible - whether it was paramilitary organisations, the police or army - to come forward and provide details.

There would not be a general amnesty - but those who agree to meet the Commission would be given immunity for the information they provide, meaning it could not be used for prosecutions.

The group hopes to publish its report before Christmas.

(BMcC)

Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

27 February 2002
Tory MP meets loyalist paramilitary chiefs in Belfast
The Conservative spokesman on Northern Ireland Quentin Davies has held face-to-face talks with loyalist paramilitary chiefs. The meeting between Mr Davies and members of the self-named Loyalist Commission took place at a secret location in Belfast on Tuesday February 26.
16 July 2013
Assembly Recalled Over Riots
MLAs are currently discussing the issue of parading during the 12 July in a special debate at the Northern Ireland Assembly. The DUP and other unionists were angered by a Parades Commission ruling that meant the Orange Order could only march through a predominantly Catholic area of north Belfast once last Friday, 12 July.
05 November 2019
Paramilitarism Remains 'A Stark Reality' In NI
The latest report on the implementation of actions to tackle paramilitary activity and associated criminality, and bringing an end to paramilitarism in Northern Ireland has been published by the Independent Reporting Commission.
30 January 2006
IMC report due to land in Government in-trays
The Independent Monitoring Commission is due to hand its latest report on paramilitary activity to the British and Irish Governments later today. Ahead of the public disclosure of the contents of the report on Wednesday, NIO Minister Shaun Woodward said that he had "absolute confidence" in the Commission.
15 March 2004
Early IMC report vindicates review withdrawal says UUP
Ulster Unionist Party leader David Trimble said plans for the early publication of the International Monitoring Commission's (IMC) report on paramilitary activity was a "vindication" of his party's decision to withdraw from the recent Good Friday Agreement review.