Villiers' comments branded 'insensitive'
The Victims Commissioner has accused the Northern Ireland Secretary of displaying insensitivity over the legacy of the conflict.
Theresa Villiers suggested most people did not wake up worrying about the past and called for “proportionate” focus on wrongdoing by republicans and loyalists rather than the police as part of future measures to heal divisions.
Commissioner Kathryn Stone cautioned politicians against adopting a simplistic view as she announced she is to take up a post in England.
She claimed Ms Villiers’ comments were: “Insensitive to thousands of victims and survivors who do wake up every morning living with the legacy of the past and fearing what new trauma is around the corner.
“Victims and survivors have given politicians a brave, dignified and progressive lead on what we need to do to address the very real and difficult issue of dealing with the past.
“I believe consistent acknowledgement of that effort and sensitivity to their feelings in any public debate should be part of a new political sense.”
Ms Villers gave a keynote speech in Belfast this morning. She said: “Let’s face it, the vast majority of people in Northern Ireland don’t wake up on a Monday morning worrying about the past, flags or parades.”
Victims on both sides have demanded justice for the loss of loved ones while human rights lawyers have argued that truth recovery is vital to help heal deep wounds which still exist in the North’s society.
Five-party political talks broke down before the New Year on dealing with controversial parades through neighbourhoods where they are not welcome, the catalyst for serious street violence every summer.
Other issues on the agenda included the flying of Union flags from official buildings and establishing structures to address the past and victims’ needs.
Ms Stone said good intentions could be derailed if only lip service was paid to victims and survivors’ sensitivities.
She added: “Putting victims and survivors first should not just be political rhetoric but should be as fundamental a thought process as applying racial, gender or religious equality to any policy statements.”
Ms Villiers argued that any processes for addressing the legacy of the past - during which thousands were killed or maimed amid 30 years of bombings and shootings – have almost exclusively concentrated on the activities of security forces, rather than paramilitaries who were responsible for most cases.
