What is The Truth Recovery Process?
The Truth Recovery Process is a new proposal to address the poisonous legacy of the Troubles
It enables former combatants to provide information to victims and their families without fear of prosecution. It also enables victims and their families to request information from former combatants under the same conditions.
In return the former combatants must act in good faith and commit fully to engaging with those who have suffered by their actions
Former combatants include members of the security forces and former paramilitaries involved in the period of the Troubles covered by the 1998 Belfast-Good Friday Agreement
Cases are dealt with through a mediation process overseen by senior members of the British and Irish judiciaries
Each case is to be investigated by a Truth Recovery Unit (TRU) which will examine cases forensically, collect and verify information
A Justice Facilitation Unit (JFU) will mediate between victims and former combatants and provide mechanisms that will allow them to engage directly with each other, or continue the process through JFU staff if that is their preferred option
The aim of the Process is to enable both sides, victims and former combatants to reconcile on the facts of the case as, without such an agreement, any further forms of reconciliation are not possible
It provides for a speedier and fuller examination of each event than is possible through the courts, facilitates the wider process of reconciliation in divided communities and creates a greater understanding and acknowledgement of the past.
The Process requires the fullest cooperation of the UK and Irish Governments to provide total disclosure as agreed in the Stormont House Agreement. Without their leadership the Process may be too easily undermined.
