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MAGINNESS - SINN FEIN FAILING ON VICTIMS COMMISSIONERS
BILL Commenting before the Commission for Victims and Survivors Bill comes before the Assembly on Tuesday SDLP Justice Spokesperson Alban Maginness MLA stated: “What the DUP and Sinn Fein need to understand is that thrashing around for excuses and lashing out at the other parties will not move this issue on. That is what victims and survivors want. That is what decency demands. The political football around this legislation was created by no one other than the DUP and Sinn Fein. Their failure to show political maturity on this core issue has left them in this scandalous position. They need to get to grips with this quickly as confidence in their ability to do so is rapidly eroding. Innovation and cooperation should be the touchstones of OFMDFM. That is why it is surprising that the United Nations’ Paris Principles are not enshrined at the heart of the victims’ commissioners legislation. These UN principles when applied will give the Victims Commissioners the same legal powers as the Human Rights Commissioner and Children’s Commissioner. It would give them real legal authority with powers to sanction when needed and search in the darkest corners when required. Are we to believe or accept that victims and survivors are not entitled to internationally defined rights? Without the inclusion of these principles, the commissioner’s ability to make a difference is limited. It
is surprising that Sinn Fein in particular have not embraced the
need for the inclusion of the Paris Principles in this legislation.
Their failure to do so highlights serious questions about their
attitude towards victims and survivors in particular and their
weak approach to dealing with the DUP in general. These are issues
they need to deal with and clarify quickly. They are not in that
joint office to act as the DUP’s lapdogs, they are there
to provide joint leadership. They need to start doing that.”
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