I do hope you have all had a wonderful time in America, some of you, at our expense! Can I, however, bring attention to your failings as politicians, in particular to Reconciliation of our island, people and the legacy of this fractured community?
You, (though perhaps not all) may remember agreements, which were made by yourselves either personally, or preceding members of your parties. So … Let me remind you in chronological order of those agreements made.
1998 – The Good Friday Agreement was a legally binding agreement set out in legislation i.e. Law, so can I refresh your memories as to your obligations in relation to reconciliation and legacy? First and foremost, your collective conduct as Ministers must at all times be: Accountable to users of services, the community and through the Assembly, for the activities within their responsibilities, their stewardship of public funds and the extent to which key performance targets and objectives have been met. You see the word Accountable? Well, in my opinion, you’re not.
Now can I draw your attention to Strand 3 in relation to Reconciliation and victims of violence? You agreed that it is ‘essential to acknowledge and Address, the suffering of the victims of violence as a Necessary element of reconciliation.’ Do you all think that establishing a Victims Commissioner negated your responsibility to actively promote and action everything else you initially agreed on? You also all agreed that the aims of the justice system were to be ‘responsive to the community’s’ concerns’.
1998 – The Good Friday Agreement was a legally binding agreement set out in legislation i.e. Law, so can I refresh your memories as to your obligations in relation to reconciliation and legacy? First and foremost, your collective conduct as Ministers must at all times be: Accountable to users of services, the community and through the Assembly, for the activities within their responsibilities, their stewardship of public funds and the extent to which key performance targets and objectives have been met. You see the word Accountable? Well, in my opinion, you’re not.
Now can I draw your attention to Strand 3 in relation to Reconciliation and victims of violence? You agreed that it is ‘essential to acknowledge and Address, the suffering of the victims of violence as a Necessary element of reconciliation.’ Do you all think that establishing a Victims Commissioner negated your responsibility to actively promote and action everything else you initially agreed on? You also all agreed that the aims of the justice system were to be ‘responsive to the community’s’ concerns’.
Stop Press – We all have concerns in relation to the agenda, inconsideration of all victims and legality of the proposed legacy bill which the Tories are intending to introduce! Merely ‘denouncing this proposed Bill on social media’ is Not what I call actively doing anything about this, nor is it adhering to your agreements.
Ok, so the GFA| wasn’t perfect, so yet again, you all went back to the drawing board and set about drafting a New agreement in 2006. At least you recognised back then, that certain parts of the initial agreement still (after 8 Years!) had not been implemented, namely, the establishment of the Victims Commission!! So you all trooped off to Scotland and drafted yet another agreement, not taking into consideration the urgent need for positive action towards reconciliation.
By 2014, there was a need for yet Another agreement! To think that No steps had ever really been taken in response in relation to addressing some of the most divisive issues in Northern Ireland, namely Flags, Identity/Culture is quite frankly astonishing, however, on the plus side, a Commission was agreed to be established by June 2015 and it was to produce a report by mid 2017. By 2014, the GFA had been in operation 16 Years, so why was there even a need to discuss ‘transition to long term peace and stability’? Why had this not been one of the main focuses back in 1998? Perhaps some of you could inform me where I can access the Centralised Oral History Archive which was to be established 6 years ago, or indeed point me to the report of the Research Project? I mean, they’ve had 7 years to research this surely? I see the Independent Commission on Information Retrieval was to be established – but wait!! Another lame duck, yet another part of the agreement signed by all, which yet again, has let down the most vulnerable and traumatised in our society! What were you all doing about positive changes for victims, for survivors to deal with a real chance of reconciling our past?
As for New Decade, New Approach in 2019? Please folks, don’t make me sick. I honestly don’t think (but happy to be proven wrong on any of my observations) anything has been changed, implemented or indeed reported on. The report on flags, identity and culture certainly hasn’t been. In fact that report has been blocked after spending 100’s of thousands of taxpayers money in commissioning it! It certainly doesn’t seem to have been a New Approach, just the same B.S. regurgitated in abject apathy – especially in relation to victims, the past, legacy or justice.
I’m not a political anorak, I’m not what I would describe an ‘activist.’ I am most definitely however, a mother, a daughter and a concerned citizen who merely wants to see us all living an inclusive life, as free from the bitter sectarian rubbish that has blighted our community for decades as possible. I want You, the political leaders, to stand up for us, to fight for us in order to achieve that goal, to respect the hurt and trauma that victims families and survivors are still dealing with today. I want you to acknowledge in a practical manner which will Change the situation for them, not merely spout empty platitudes the odd time on your social media pages, or in the odd interview you give! I want you to start becoming Accountable To Us, something which you’re not at the moment, because when challenged, it would seem that the favourite term is ‘That’s not my department’ ‘That’s someone else’s fault.’
Ok, so the GFA| wasn’t perfect, so yet again, you all went back to the drawing board and set about drafting a New agreement in 2006. At least you recognised back then, that certain parts of the initial agreement still (after 8 Years!) had not been implemented, namely, the establishment of the Victims Commission!! So you all trooped off to Scotland and drafted yet another agreement, not taking into consideration the urgent need for positive action towards reconciliation.
By 2014, there was a need for yet Another agreement! To think that No steps had ever really been taken in response in relation to addressing some of the most divisive issues in Northern Ireland, namely Flags, Identity/Culture is quite frankly astonishing, however, on the plus side, a Commission was agreed to be established by June 2015 and it was to produce a report by mid 2017. By 2014, the GFA had been in operation 16 Years, so why was there even a need to discuss ‘transition to long term peace and stability’? Why had this not been one of the main focuses back in 1998? Perhaps some of you could inform me where I can access the Centralised Oral History Archive which was to be established 6 years ago, or indeed point me to the report of the Research Project? I mean, they’ve had 7 years to research this surely? I see the Independent Commission on Information Retrieval was to be established – but wait!! Another lame duck, yet another part of the agreement signed by all, which yet again, has let down the most vulnerable and traumatised in our society! What were you all doing about positive changes for victims, for survivors to deal with a real chance of reconciling our past?
As for New Decade, New Approach in 2019? Please folks, don’t make me sick. I honestly don’t think (but happy to be proven wrong on any of my observations) anything has been changed, implemented or indeed reported on. The report on flags, identity and culture certainly hasn’t been. In fact that report has been blocked after spending 100’s of thousands of taxpayers money in commissioning it! It certainly doesn’t seem to have been a New Approach, just the same B.S. regurgitated in abject apathy – especially in relation to victims, the past, legacy or justice.
I’m not a political anorak, I’m not what I would describe an ‘activist.’ I am most definitely however, a mother, a daughter and a concerned citizen who merely wants to see us all living an inclusive life, as free from the bitter sectarian rubbish that has blighted our community for decades as possible. I want You, the political leaders, to stand up for us, to fight for us in order to achieve that goal, to respect the hurt and trauma that victims families and survivors are still dealing with today. I want you to acknowledge in a practical manner which will Change the situation for them, not merely spout empty platitudes the odd time on your social media pages, or in the odd interview you give! I want you to start becoming Accountable To Us, something which you’re not at the moment, because when challenged, it would seem that the favourite term is ‘That’s not my department’ ‘That’s someone else’s fault.’
Stop the Blame Game, take control of the issues, create merry hell until you get those issues heard and dealt with by whoever you need to lobby…. Stop with the attitude that it’s everyone else’s fault, consider Your actions, Your language when talking, because as far as I can see, far too many of you are not adhering to your agreed principals and obligations in that respect.
Start engaging, start promoting, start being accountable to those of us who have no voice!
Start engaging, start promoting, start being accountable to those of us who have no voice!
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| Lesley Stock is a former PSNI and RUC Officer currently involved in community work. |
Lesley, good to see you writing again. It annoyed a few on Twitter but there will always be somebody annoyed by most political writing and not something for those who write to be concerned about. You will always have a space here. Steve Biko had a great attitude - he used to write under the pen name Frank Talk and his column was I Write What I Like. I always found that inspirational given what he experienced.
ReplyDeleteThanks for that,I've accepted the fact that I annoy some by merely breathing because of my background. I've always tried to see others point of view, tried to understand why they did things, that wont mean I agree or condone, but at least I try to be respectful. Of course, when pushed, we all push back but I never go out of my way to offend unless it's in response to a disrespectful discourse. I think Steve has the right idea!!
DeleteA useful rule of thumb is that when somebody loses their cool and abuses a writer by calling them abusive names like scumbag they have lost the argument in terms of readership perception. Don't interfere when your opponent is in the process of damaging their own cause. I have been called some names on this site over the years. I simply ignore it.
DeleteWell I definitely know that they hate being ignored lol
ReplyDeleteit is the effect that self importance has on people. When you ignore them, they tend to feel 'they don't think I am as important as I think I am.' Although on the Twitter discussion about the above piece - which wasn't about it but about you - I found it civil enough and not what frequently happens in Twitter wars.
Delete