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Consequences of Conflict in Northern Ireland
Dealing with the Past
Consultative Group on the Past. Report of the Consultative Group on the Past Report. January 2009.
Link: http://www.cgpni.org/fs/doc/Consultative%20Group%20on%20the%20Past%20Full%20Report.pdf
On 22 June 2007 Peter Hain, the then Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, announced the formation of an independent Consultative Group. The Group was asked to: consult across the community on how Northern Ireland society can best approach the legacy of the events of the past 40 years; make recommendations, as appropriate, on any steps that might be taken to support Northern Ireland society in building a shared future that is not overshadowed by the events of the past; and present a report, which will be published, setting out conclusions to the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, by summer 2008. Following public consultation, a report of the Consultative Group on the Past was released to invited victims? groups, politicians, police officers and the media at the Europa Hotel in Belfast on the 28th January 2009. The 190?page Report makes more than 30 recommendations, including the establishment of a Legacy Commission, Processes for Justice and Information Recovery and compensation payments to victims/survivors.
Bell, C. Dealing with the Past in Northern Ireland, Fordham International Law Journal, volume 26, number 4, 2003, pp1095-1147
Link: http://law.fordham.edu/publications/article.ihtml?pubID=300&id=1533
Examining transitional justice in Northern Ireland and ways of dealing with wrongs committed by the State and other actors, the article identifies government accountability as an issue both pre and post the Good Friday Agreement.
Bell, C et al. Justice Discourses in Transition, Social & Legal Studies, volume 13, number 3, 2004, pp305-328.
Link: http://sls.sagepub.com/cgi/content/abstract/13/3/305
This article argues that transitional justice analyses are important components in gaining an understanding of how societies emerge from a history of violent politics. It asserts the importance of moving beyond methodologies of dealing with the legacy of past human rights violations to the role of law in transitional societies. It examines the paradox of trying to reform the law while using legal methods to bring about institutional transformation. Northern Ireland is used as the case study.
Crooke E, Dealing with the Past: Museums and Heritage in Northern Ireland and Cape Town, South Africa, International Journal of Heritage Studies, vol 11, number 2, 2005, pp131-142.
Link: http://www.informaworld.com/smpp/content~content=a713735295~db=all~order=page
The post-conflict experience in South Africa has had a great impact on Northern Ireland, giving insights on how to deal with the legacy of a violent past, particularly with regard to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. This article argues that as a way of dealing with the past, this comparison has now moved on to consider the value and ways of preserving the heritage of the Troubles and considers how this history should be presented in museums in Northern Ireland.
Graham, B & McDowell S. Meaning in the Maze: the Heritage of Long Kesh, Cultural Geographics, volume 14, number 3, 2007, pp343-368.
Link: http://cgj.sagepub.com/cgi/content/abstract/14/3/343
This article focuses on the former Long Kesh/Maze prison as a key heritage site and its role in the Northern Ireland conflict. The article reflects on the historical timeline of the prison as well as the recommendations made by the Maze Consultation Panel in 2005. The article considers responses from various stakeholders but essentially focuses on Sinn Fein, concluding that republicanism is best placed to understand how the site may be best used and preserved as an iconic place in the history of the Troubles.
Hamber, B. Forgiveness and Reconciliation: Paradise Lost or Pragmatism, Peace and Conflict: Journal of Peace Psychology, volume 13, issue 1 March 2007, pp 115-125
Link: http://www.informaworld.com/smpp/content~content=a787947782~db=all~jumptype=rss
This article focuses on the increasing role of forgiveness and reconciliation within societies coming out of conflict. Issues such as healing, reconciliation, apology, acknowledgement and forgiveness (to a lesser degree) have become central to the transitional justice debate. This article addresses four questions within this debate: (a) Why are questions of forgiveness and reconciliation being posed now in political transition processes? (b) Is intergroup forgiveness possible? (c) How do reconciliation and forgiveness relate to each other? (d) At the macro political level, is there a place for forgiveness and reconciliation in the realpolitik of political transitions?
Hamber, B. Flying flags of fear: The role of fear in the process of political transition, Journal of Human Rights, volume 5, pp127-142.
Link: http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/routledg/cjhr/2006/00000005/00000001/art00009
This article outlines some unfolding ideas about fear, risk and social change and their application to the process of political transition. It is about diverse forms of symbolism. The author analyses the role of fear in the political transition process. It presents a range of ideas, and theoretical contemplations that will hopefully open further academic space for exploration of the concept of fear within political transition processes and debates on transitional justice. It draws on the experience of peace processes in South Africa and Northern Ireland.
Hamber, B (ed). 1998. Past Imperfect: Dealing with the Past in Northern Ireland and Societies in Transition. INCORE
Link: http://www.brandonhamber.com/pastimperfect.htm
Based on the discussions and proceedings of the Dealing with the Past; Reconciliation Process and Peacebuilding conference hosted by INCORE in June 1998, this book brings together the papers presented at the conference. It also draws on the ideas of participants to further the debate about dealing with, or perhaps not dealing with, the past in Northern Ireland.
Healing Through Remembering. 2002. Report of the Healing Through Remembering Project, Belfast.
Link: http://www.healingthroughremembering.org/d_pubs/htrreport.asp
Healing Through Remembering (HTR) is an extensive cross-community project made up of a range of individual members holding different political perspectives. Healing Through Remembering focuses on the issue of how to deal with the past relating to the conflict in and about Northern Ireland. The project arose following a visit in 1999 to Northern Ireland by Dr Alex Boraine, then Deputy Chair of the Truth and Reconciliation Committee (TRC) in South Africa.HTR carried out an extensive consultation which asked individuals, organisations and communities the question: ?How should people remember the events connected with the conflict in and about Northern Ireland and in so doing, individually and collectively contribute to the healing of the wounds of society?? This report is the findings of this inquiry. It summarises the views expressed by respondents and groups the issues raised into five recommendations including a Healing Through Remembering Initiative.
Healing Through Remembering. 2005. Storytelling audit: An audit of personal story, narrative and testimony initiatives related to the conflict in and about Northern Ireland (Compiled by Grainne Kelly). Belfast.
Link: http://www.cain.ulst.ac.uk/issues/victims/docs/kelly0905storytelling.pdf
The Healing Through Remembering Initiative brings diverse people together to address how to further the HTR reports? recommendations. In order to do this, the Initiative formed sub-groups which are comprised of a wide range of individuals with different perspectives. The Storytelling sub-group is one of five sub-groups formed. This report tells how the Storytelling audit process was formed and explains which groups took part, gives details of interviews that were conducted, their accessibility and the methodology used.
Healing Through Remembering. 2006. Making Peace with the Past: Options for truth recovery regarding the conflict in and about Northern Ireland. Executive Summary.
Link: http://www.healingthroughremembering.org/pdf/Making%20Peace%20with%20the%20Past.%20Executive%20Summary.pdf
This executive summary is a report from the sub group on Truth Recovery and Acknowledgement and deals with making peace with the past. It explores the options, based on extensive research, for dealing with the consequences of the conflict. The options are: Drawing a Line under the Past; Internal Organizations Investigations; Community-Based Bottom-Up Truth Recovery; A Truth Recovery Commission; and A Commission of Historical Clarification.
Hegarty, A. Truth, Law and Official Denial: The Case of Bloody Sunday, Criminal Law Forum, volume 15, numbers 1-2, March 2004, pp 199-246.
Link: http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/klu/cril/2004/00000015/F0020001/00003562?token=004816ee9fb63a5a666f3a7b2f784042423b6b46663e702549266d652f59c5f6072df0d2
The article considers the problems of recovering truth in societies such as Northern Ireland where there has been no regime change, the state has remained intact (despite transformational attempts through political negotiation), little has changed in the official discourse of denial, and importantly there has been little alterations to the institutions of justice. In particular the article focuses on how these problems have manifested in the case of Bloody Sunday.
House of Commons Northern Ireland Affairs Committee. 2005. Ways of Dealing with Northern Ireland?s Past: Interim Report - Victims and Survivor. Government?s Response to the Committee?s Tenth Report of Session 2004-2005, London, The Stationery Office Ltd.
Link: www.parliament.the-stationery-office.co.uk/pa/cm200405/cmselect/cmniaf/303/303i.pdf
This report relates to an inquiry held into looking at ?ways of dealing with Northern Ireland?s past?. The terms of that inquiry were to examine: ?The experience of efforts in other jurisdictions to move forward from a history of division and conflict, on a basis as widely acceptable as possible to affected communities and individuals who have suffered from violence.? The report looks in details at methods of inter-community healing and acknowledges the healing work being done by individuals and groups. It argues that
there is an extraordinarily wide range of intractable issues which those striving to confront the past must keep firmly in mind if progress in inter-community healing is to be maintained.
Lundy, P & McGovern, M. A Truth Commission for Northern Ireland? Northern Ireland Life and Times Survey: Research Update, number 46, 2006.
Link: www.ark.ac.uk/publications/updates/update46.pdf
In 2005 the findings of a series of questions asked as part of the 2004 Northern Ireland Life and Times (NILT) Survey on attitudes towards a truth commission for Northern Ireland were made available. This research update is based on the findings from that survey. Of particular interest was whether there were any differences or similarities in the views of people identified by their party political or religious affiliation. In all the update gives six key points including: more respondents thought a truth commission was important or very important (50%) for the future of Northern Ireland than those who thought it was unimportant or very unimportant (28%).
Lundy, P & McGovern, M. The Ethics of Silence: Action research, community truth-telling and post-conflict transition in the North of Ireland, Action Research, volume 4, number 1, 2006, pp49-64
Link: http://arj.sagepub.com/cgi/content/refs/4/1/49
This article examines the effect of action research when researching sensitive subjects in divided and violent societies. It focuses on the ethical implication of the potential harm that carrying out research could have on both researchers and participants. The authors argues that it isn?t ethically possible for social researchers to remain detached and silent when carrying out research in societies affected by political violence, and further that it is morally reprehensible.
Lundy, P & McGovern, M. Participation, Truth and Partiality: Participatory Action Research, Community-based Truth telling and Post-conflict Transition in Northern Ireland, Sociology, volume 40, number 1, 2006, p71-88.
Link: http://www.soc.sagepub.com/cgi/reprint/40/1/71.pdf
The authors assess both methodological and ethical issues based on a truth-telling project called Participatory Action Research. The article addresses two main areas of concern: the potential value for post conflict transition is explored through carrying out community-based research work in a violently divided society; secondly, a critical assessment is made of claims to telling the truth.
Lundy P & McGovern M. The Politics of Memory in Post-Conflict Northern Ireland, Peace Review, volume 13, number 1, 2001, pp27-33.
Link: http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/routledg/cper/2001/00000013/00000001/art00004
This article examines how post-conflict transitional societies might best confront the legacy of a violent past once peace processes have been instituted to resolve long-running conflicts. It focuses on the model of the truth commission and considers the balancing act between truth-telling and justice. It argues there is a learning curve worldwide and one which is being shared by communities, groups and individuals in Northern Ireland.
McLernon, F et al. Views on Forgiveness in Northern Ireland, Peace Review, volume 14, number 3, 2002, pp285-290.
Link: www.ingentaconnect.com/content/routledg/cper/2002/00000014/00000003/art00005
This article looks at the role of forgiveness in the aftermath of the conflict in Northern Ireland. It argues with regard to the documented evidence regarding the important role that forgiveness plays in the healing process.
NIACRO and Victim Support. 1999. All Truth is Bitter: A Report of the Visit of Doctor Alex Boraine, Deputy Chairman of the South African Truth and Reconciliation Commission, to Northern Ireland, Belfast: NIACRO and Victim Support.
Link: http://www.cain.ulst.ac.uk/issues/victims/docs/alltruthisbitter99.pdf
This is a report on the visit of Doctor Alex Boraine Deputy Chairman of the South Africa Truth and Reconciliation Commission, to Northern Ireland. The report explores lessons for Northern Ireland in the work of the South African TRC.
Rolston, B. Assembling the jigsaw: truth, justice and transition in the North of Ireland, Race & Class, volume 44, number 1, 2002, pp87-105.
Link: http://rac.sagepub.com/cgi/content/refs/44/1/87
This article explores the paradox at the heart of whether or not to establish a truth commission in Northern Ireland. The paradox is that since the ceasefire (after a painfully slow process of transformed or new political institutions emerging) political activists in favour of revealing the truth about human rights abuses of the State often oppose a truth commission being established by the State. Rolston attempts to explain this paradox and argues that only through communities seeking to assemble a ?jigsaw? of truth, will the silence, censorship and the impunity of the past be broken.
Shirlow, P. Fear and Ethnic Division, Peace Review, volume 13, number 1, 2001, pp67-74.
Link: http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/routledg/cper/2001/00000013/00000001/art00009
This article examines the negative attitudes and hostility between communities and ethnic groups in Belfast. It argues that we must investigate why these communities fear each other and the negative impact that this fear has on the life of residents.
Shirlow, P. Who Fears to Speak: Fear Mobility and Ethno-sectarianism in the Two Ardoynes, The Global Review of Ethnopolitics, volume 3, number one, 2003, pp76-91
Link: http://www.cain.ulst.ac.uk/ethnopolitics/shirlow03.pdf
This article uses quantitative and qualitative data from the Ardoyne district in Belfast. It gives an overview of the general literature on fear and segregation and then critically looks at this literature in relation to Belfast. It then examines the construction of ethno-sectarian landscapes in the Ardoyne. It argues that the chances of agreeable forms of political ownership and census-building remain distant and geographically rootless in Northern Irish society.
Simpson, K. Victims of Political Violence: A Habermasian Model of Truth Recovery, Journal of Human Rights, volume 6, number 3, 2007, pp325-343.
Link: http://www.informaworld.com/smpp/content~content=a782023448~db=all~jumptype=rss
This article focuses on truth recovery - a core aspect of the transition from political violence to reconciliation and peace. It argues that victims of political violence must be able to tell their stories within the context of a public dialogue. This article outlines a model for truth recovery in transitional contexts, using Northern Ireland as a case study. The author calls this communicative justice and argues that it helps to ensure that legitimate truth recovery publicly acknowledges the suffering of victims.
Simpson, K. Voices silenced, voices rediscovered:victims of violence and the reclamation of language in transitional societies, International Journal of Law in Context, volume 3, issue 2, June 2007, pp 89-103.
Link: http://journals.cambridge.org/action/displayIssue?jid=IJC&volumeId=3&issueId=02#
This article argues that the reclamation of language and the rediscovery of victims? voices in post-conflict contexts are vital to the realisation of full human rights for all citizens, and necessary preludes to processes of truth recovery. However, as a consequence of campaigns of political murder, torture and detention by oppressive regimes, many victims of violence have found the articulation of coherent individual and group histories has become increasingly difficult. The author contends that enabling victims to reclaim language and narrate their stories is a crucial aspect of the legal, social and political ?rebalancing project? necessary in transitional societies to right the wrongs of the past.
Breen Smyth, M. 2007. Truth Recovery and Justice after Conflict: Managing Violent Pasts, London, Routledge
Link: http://www.routledge.com/books/Truth-Recovery-and-Justice-after-conflict-isbn9780415433983
The unfinished business of a violent past with societies emerging from a period of political violence, is the subjects matter of this book. The author examine the conditions which predispose or prevent a country embarking on a truth recovery process. It argues that political willingness is the key ingredient in the establishment of such a process.
Cairns E, Dixon D., Niens. U.Moeschberger, S., Forgiveness in Northern Ireland: Model for Peace in the Midst of the "Troubles" Peace and Conflict: Journal of Peace Psychology. Volume 11, Issue 2, 2005, Pages 199 ? 214
Link: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals/titles/10781919.asp
This article is a compilation of six articles that demonstrate that ?dealing with and trying to understand the social, political and psychological relevance of forgiveness and reconciliation in societies coming out of conflict is a complex and difficult subject that raises many questions? (Hamber). Complexities and ambiguities are very present in the studies that follow. Intergroup forgiveness was a difficult abstract concept to understand for some participants, and its meaning at times varied interculturally and even intraculturally, according to which of the conflicting groups was being queried. The fifth article is a cross-national comparative study focused on the political violence in Northern Ireland by three teams. Using parallel methodologies, the three teams performed content analyses of print media responses in their respective national settings to the 2002 Irish Republican Army's public statement of ?sincere apologies and condolences? for the ?deaths and injuries of noncombatants? and ?among combatants ? the grief and pain of their relatives.? Findings varied across national settings and within Northern Ireland across the communities associated with the conflict. The findings also illustrate how an intrastate conflict may impact and be influenced by other nations and diasporas.
Gormally, B. & McEvoy, K. Dealing with the Past 'from below': An Evaluation, Community Foundation for Northern Ireland, 2009.
Link: http://www.communityfoundationni.org/download/1/DealingwiththePastCFNI%20FULL%20Report%2009.pdf
In February 2007, the Community Foundation, under Measure 2.4 of the European Union?s Programme for Peace and Reconciliation (Peace II Extension), awarded just under £1million to a range of projects working on 'bottom up' approaches to dealing with the past issues in Northern Ireland. The funding allowed the groups involved to engage in initiatives with a broad range of participants in order to explore their experiences and views of dealing with the past issues. In this report, Brian Gormally and Kieran McEvoy analyse the effectiveness of such approaches and assess what can be learned from those working ?from below? the political and/or governmental spheres.
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