Statement by TUV leader Jim Allister:
“I very much welcome the call today from Innocent Victims United for the European Day for Victims of Terrorism to be officially marked in the Assembly chamber. Given that Northern Ireland has suffered much more than most parts of the world from the ravages of terrorism it is shameful that a day which is set aside for victims across the EU has never been given formal recognition in our Province.
“Since my election to Stormont I have organised an event in the Senate Chamber on the Monday closest to 11th March, the anniversary of the Madrid bombings in 2004.
“While I am unaware of any attempt to address the fact that this date is not officially marked by the Assembly I can confirm that I have already begun to put in place arrangements for an event to mark European Day for Victims of Terrorism in a similar fashion this year on 9th March.
“The event will take the form of a minute of silence in memory of murdered victims, followed by some victims telling their stories so that we might hear some of the untold accounts of the consequences of terrorism, both Republican and Loyalist. It is anticipated the event will run for approximately 30 minutes from 11am.
“I believe this will be a worthwhile effort and in previous years I received very positive feedback from those who attended.
“In the near future I will be writing to victims’ groups across Northern Ireland to formally invite them to attend but I realize that there are many victims who are not part of any formal organisation. I would like to assure them that they too are most welcome to attend.
“It is but right that one of the regions of Europe most savagely ravaged by terrorism should mark this important day. In the past I have attempted – without success – to mark the European Day for Victims of Terrorism by way of a Matter of the Day but that attempt was frustrated as it was not accepted.
“Given that terrorists have been elevated to the heart of government in Northern Ireland and Stormont is built on the appeasement of those who created victims in the hope that they will not do it again I can understand the reluctance to mark an event which forces us all to face up to the evils of terrorism. In the meantime this event will continue and ensure that this important date does not pass unnoticed.”