> ## Content Index
> Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.opendemocracy.net/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further.

# Northern Ireland Truth Commission moves step closer
- URL: https://www.opendemocracy.net/en/northern-ireland-truth-commission-moves-step-closer/
- Published: 2008-09-27T12:09:01.000Z
- Updated: 2019-02-14T22:41:44.000Z
- Author: Patrick Corrigan
- Tags: #en, #Migrated, #Import 2026-04-09 18:49

**Patrick Corrigan, (Amnesty Blogs:** [**Belfast and Beyond**](http://blogs.amnesty.org.uk/blogs.asp?bid=25&ref=opendemocracy.net)**):** A Northern Ireland Truth Commission moved a step closer to reality on Thursday with the [call by Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams](http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/gerry-adams-in-call-for--truth-commission-13984921.html?ref=opendemocracy.net) for such a body to be established to deal with the legacy of the thirty-year conflict.

His endorsement of the idea and call for it be helped by "*all relevant parties*", suggests that the IRA, which was responsible for over [1,700 deaths](http://cain.ulst.ac.uk/sutton/tables/Organisation%5FResponsible.html?ref=opendemocracy.net) – nearly half of the overall death toll from the conflict – could be ready to participate in a truth recovery process.

The fact that the MP and MLA for West Belfast made the call in an article in An Phoblacht/Republican News would seem to underline that his message is meant be read as such and that it is also sending a clear signal to the wider republican community to be ready to support involvement. Adams' message was [echoed in Dublin](http://www.sinnfein.ie/news/detail/35418?ref=opendemocracy.net) by Sinn Féin Dáil leader Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin TD.

Sinn Féin has put forward ten principles which they believe should underpin any effective truth recovery process:

*· All processes should be victim-centred and deal with victims on an all-Ireland basis;* 
*· Full co-operation by all relevant parties is essential to the success of any commission;* 
*· There should be no hierarchy of victims;* 
*· All processes should be politically neutral;* 
*· Any future panel should be international and independent;* 
*· One of the purposes of any future panel/commission should be to examine the #39;causes, nature and extent' of the conflict;* 
*· An objective of any process should be healing – both for direct victims and for society in general;* 
*· A common aim should be to enable society to build the peace;* 
*· Reconciliation should be the core aim of any truth process; and respect and generosity should inform the parties seeking to reach agreement.*

Many of these principles are sound, although a few provide reasonable grounds for some argument. For instance, why only deal with victims "*on an all-Ireland basis*"? Weren't there also victims in Britain and across Europe?

Most notably missing from the set of principles is that any truth commission should also act as a conduit for justice. Perhaps this should come as no great surprise. Yet, as I have [blogged](http://blogs.amnesty.org.uk/blogs%5Fentry.asp?eid=1353&ref=opendemocracy.net) before, [Amnesty International's experience of truth recovery processes](http://www.amnesty.org/en/library/info/POL30/009/2007/en?ref=opendemocracy.net) in over thirty (primarily post-conflict) countries would suggest that the most effective way of moving towards long-term peace, stability and  
reconciliation is to confront and interrogate the past and maximise the scope for justice.

Adams' statement is worthy of a warm welcome – at least as far as it goes. Now, let's hear from the other relevant parties, UK and Irish governments included.

And, while we're at it, let's have the [Eames-Bradley Consultative Group on the Past](http://blogs.amnesty.org.uk/blogs%5Fentry.asp?eid=1353&ref=opendemocracy.net) publish their [much delayed report](http://blogs.amnesty.org.uk/blogs%5Fentry.asp?eid=1846&ref=opendemocracy.net) so we can test responses across the board. As previously noted, the true test of this process is whether or not the parties to the conflict – and the peace – are willing to construct a mechanism which can deliver truth and justice, not just pseudo-reconciliation.