What is the Truth Recovery Process?

The Truth Recovery Process is a proposal to address the poisonous Legacy of the Troubles. It is an alternative to the courts if victims and survivors wish to avail of it.

It would enable former combatants to provide information to victims and their families without fear of prosecution. It would also enable victims and their families to request information from former combatants under the same conditions and  provide vicvtims with quicker access to an adequately funded state compensation scheme

Why would former combatants come forward?

Former combatants had different motivations but many became involved in the Troubles to defend their communuity or advance a cause they believed in. They still want to make a positive contribution to society and this is a way of doing so that might provide a unique contribution to help those affected by their actions and society at large.

Who are former combatants?

Former combatants include members of the security forces and former paramilitaries involved in the period of the Troubles covered by the 1998 Belfast-Good Friday Agreement.

How would it work?

Cases would be dealt with through a mediation process overseen by senior members of the British and Irish judiciaries.

Each case would be investigated by a Truth Recovery Unit (TRU) which would examine cases forensically, collect and verify information

A Justice Facilitation Unit (JFU) would mediate between victims and former combatants and provide mechanisms that would allow them to engage directly with each other, or continue the process through JFU staff, if that is their preferred option

The aim of the Process is to enable both sides, victims and former combatants to reconcile on the facts of the case as, without such an agreement, any further forms of reconciliation are not possible

Why opt for Truth Recovery versus criminal prosections?

Most of those killed and seriously injured in the Troubles suffered between 1969 and 1976, almost 50 years ago. Many of those responsible have either died or are rapidly approaching life’s end. Many of the latter wish to make amends and, or explain their actions.

This process provides for a speedier and fuller examination of each event than is possible through the courts.

Experience shows that court cases often deepen divisions in society, whatever the outcome, can retraumatise participants and can even lead to wrongful convictions and further injustice.

What is needed for Reconciliation to work?

The Process requires the fullest cooperation of the UK and Irish Governments to provide total disclosure as agreed in the Stormont House Agreement. Without their leadership the Process could be undermined by the current brief and composition of the Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Retrieval.

NOTE: We are totally opposed to the imposition of the Legacy Act unilaterally by the British Government. This is a clear breach of the Belfast Good Friday Agreement and violates Article 2 of the European Convention on Human Rights.