The Commission for Victims and Survivors has submitted written evidence to the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee’s inquiry into reconciliation in Northern Ireland. 

Drawing on the Commission’s statutory role, together with what we continue to hear directly from victims and survivors through our engagement, research and policy work, the submission sets out the Commission’s views on what is needed to support meaningful reconciliation. 

Our evidence highlights that reconciliation means different things to different people. For many victims and survivors, there is no single pathway to reconciliation, and it should never be viewed as something that can be expected or imposed. Any discussion on reconciliation must recognise the individual experiences of those affected by the Troubles/conflict and the lasting impact it continues to have on individuals, families and communities. 

The submission highlights the importance of truth, acknowledgement and information recovery, ensuring that the voices of victims and survivors remain central to decisions about the future. It also recognises the valuable contribution that oral history, memorialisation and storytelling can make in building understanding, while emphasising that these should complement not replace the wider work needed to address legacy issues. 

The Commission also reiterates its longstanding position on the need for greater acknowledgement of those bereaved as a result of the Troubles/conflict. The submission highlights the Commission’s continued call for the introduction of a Bereaved Payment Scheme as an important step in recognising the enduring impact experienced by bereaved families. 

As the independent statutory body representing the interests of victims and survivors, the Commission will continue to use its statutory functions to provide evidence-based advice to government, review the adequacy and effectiveness of laws, policies, and services, and ensure that the experiences and priorities of victims and survivors continue to inform future decision-making. 

The Commission welcomes the opportunity to contribute to the Committee’s inquiry. It looks forward to supporting continued discussion on reconciliation in a way that recognises the needs, experiences and voices of victims and survivors. 

To read the Commission’s full written evidence to the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee inquiry, click here.

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