Commission highlights commitment to human rights compliance
A reaffirmed commitment to deliver human rights compliant investigations was the key message from the Independent Commission at a meeting with officials from the Council of Europe today.
The Commission hosted a delegation from the Department of the Execution of Judgements (DEJ) who are on a visit to Northern Ireland.
The meeting comes as the Commission published details of four more requests for investigation which have now moved into the information recovery stage. This brings to 14 the number of individual requests accepted for investigation. The Commission is at the same time working with more than 100 individuals on taking their cases forward.
Chief Commissioner Sir Declan Morgan said today’s meeting with the DEJ was an opportunity to highlight again how the Commission’s work holds true to its core principles.
“We have always placed our commitment to human rights central to what we do.
“This meeting gave us the chance to repeat just how important that commitment is for us, how it informs everything we do in the same way as our respect for the Good Friday Agreement and our focus on providing information to victims, survivors and families.”
The meeting was one of the first in a series for the DEJ in Northern Ireland. Sir Declan added:
“This is an important initiative, and we welcome the dialogue the DEJ is opening up. These conversations are vital as we move forward with our efforts to find answers for the people who have placed their trust in us.”
On the recent announcement from the Secretary of State about inquests, Sir Declan commented:
“I support the Secretary of State’s pledge to allow inquests previously halted, to proceed.
“With over 100 individuals coming to the Commission, a figure that is continuing to rise, we have a crucial role to play in supporting the vast number of victims, survivors and families who are still looking for answers.”
He added: “We will do so with integrity, independence and a focus on providing them with the unvarnished truth about what happened to their loved ones.“
The meeting included discussion of the implications of the recent Court of Appeal decision in the Dillon Case. The delegation was also briefed on the Commission’s ongoing intensive work with victims, survivors and families.
Assistant Commissioner Dr Lesley Carroll said it was an opportunity to emphasise the positive work of the Commission.
“This was a chance for us to tell the story of the Commission’s journey so far with the people who have contacted us,” she said.
“We are listening carefully to what people tell us about their experiences and to the feedback they have about the way we are engaging with them so we can continue to improve our focus on victims and survivors and their families.
“We now have over 100 people requesting investigations. It is critical we serve them well with a quality investigation and that we are responsive to their views on how we are supporting them”
NOTES TO EDITORS
- The Commission has published details of live investigations in information recovery on its website Live investigations in information recovery – Independent Commission for Reconciliation & Information Recovery (icrir.independent-inquiry.uk).
- The following dedicated telephone line, operated by trained staff, and other contact routes is available for all those who wish to request an investigation:
- Telephone: 028 9036 2093
- Email: Casesupport@icrir.independent-inquiry.uk
- Post: ICRIR, FREEPOST
Telephone lines are open between 10:00 and 16:00, Monday to Friday (apart from public holidays).
For media enquiries please contact press@icrir.independent-inquiry.uk.