The Bloomfield Report - Relatives Response
From: Relatives for Justice (an organisation that supports victims of state violence)
During the Irish peace negotiations in 1998 when prison releases were being discussed a debate began about the victims of violence. An emphasis was also placed on the needs of these victims.
The British Government commissioned the former head of the British civil service in the north of Ireland, Sir Kenneth Bloomfield, to initiate a consultation of victims in order to establish a way of remembering all victims. As the negotiations drew to a conclusion the completed report was presented to the British government. It had by now taken on more significance and under the Good Friday Agreement of 1998 provision had been made to implement its recommendations, primarily the appointment of a 'Victims' Commissioner'. Subsequently the British Minister in charge of the armed forces in the north of Ireland, Adam Ingram, was appointed.
Relatives for Justice met Sir Kenneth Bloomfield during his consultation process in early March 1998 and made representation to him on behalf of the many families with members maimed and killed by state forces and their agents. They outlined their aims and objectives as set out above.
RFJ was not approached by Mr.Bloomfield and a meeting only took place after intensive lobbying by RFJ. This was in contrast to the very proactive approach to other victims' organisations and individuals.
Nevertheless RFJ took a positive approach to the meeting. Members pointed out that truth and justice are the most fitting and the only memorial to the dead.
RFJ members stressed that they cannot begin to fully grieve until truth has been established. And that we work with many families who cannot heal their open wound through the deliberate absence of truth and justice. These families have been devastated by state violence, cover ups and lies.
In setting the context for the document he had said in relation to a memorial that "We truly need to remember those who have suffered, to grieve... to reflect upon the truth of what occurred and to move forward from there." He did not however offer any mechanism for us to judge on how truth can be established.
In response to the issue of truth the consultation report "We will remember them" made two references - one in relation to the possibility of the establishment of a truth commission and the other in relation to those families who have become known as the relatives of the disappeared.
A Truth Commission is one way which would allow for the establishment of the facts and truth of human rights violations during the conflict and is a model which could promote healing by allowing victims to restore some of what has been taken from them by allowing them to tell in a public forum what has happened to them and to their relatives.
It would allow for the validation of their experiences. Such a model would also contribute towards reconciliation, and has been used in areas of conflict resolution throughout the world.
Mr. Bloomfield chose to side step this issue. He spoke of the truth being used as a "weapon as well as a shield". He went on to disregard his responsibility for victims by saying "If the political leaders in Northern Ireland at some stage wish to pursue this possibility, I have no doubt that senior figures from South Africa would be more than willing to speak from their experience."
RFJ members had shared their experience and had explained the need for truth to be established during the consultation - this was disregarded.
Relatives of those murdered by the state, like the families with relatives who have "disappeared" have the right to know the full circumstances of their loved ones death.
In relation to the families of the disappeared Mr. Bloomfield spoke of "one of the most fundamental of human instincts is to seek certain knowledge of the fate of a husband or wife, son or daughter, brother or sister." He says, "Common humanity cries out for this modest act of mercy" and recommends a course of action for truth to be established.
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