Reacting to comments by the Council of Europe’s commissioner for human rights Nils Muizneiks Jim Allister said:
“Nils Muizneiks’s comments will cut little ice with innocent victims who have seen millions of Euros pumped into ex-prisoner groups and facilities like the Ti Chulainn Centre in South Armagh where children posed as terrorists for photographs. Where was the outcry about human rights then?
“Where was the Council of Europe’s commissioner for human rights when hundreds of innocent victims were being killed by terrorists?
“Where was the concern for justice from Europe when the prison doors were thrown open in 1998 and multiple murderers were allowed to walk free?
“Where is the concern for victims who are insulted that a self-confessed IRA commander is jointly responsible for victims’ issues in Northern Ireland?
“Where was the commissioner when the get out of jail free letters to Republican On the Run terrorists was exposed?
“Where was the outcry when a convicted killer was appointed as a Special Adviser to the Culture Minister?
“Muizneiks ignores the countless deaths and injuries caused by terrorists. He also ignores the fact that those who continue to justify that terrorism have been elevated to the heart of government in Northern Ireland.
“The kind of disproportionate focus on the State while effectively ignoring the actions of terrorists advocated by Mr Muizneiks is very much in tune with the iniquitous Haass proposals and I have no doubt that his comments are designed to influence the on-going talks at Stormont.”