Collusion – Relatives for Justice call for action at 'highest levels'

FAMILIES of victims of collusion between the British state and armed groups have contacted MLAs, MPs and TDs, as well as members of the US Congress demanding urgent action and an independent inquiry following recent television programmes which further expose Britain's 'dirty war' tactics in the North.

The call comes as the Assembly prepares to debate a motion on collusion tabled by Sinn Féin MLA Raymond McCartney this evening. A new RTÉ programme exposing further shocking details of Britain's collusion with unionist death squads will also be screened on Monday at 9.30pm.

Relatives for Justice Director Mark Thompson said in a statement:

"Collectively the families bereaved and those injured through collusion, including the NGOs supporting them, feel that the issues raised on recent television programmes require full and comprehensive discussion at the highest levels of government in Belfast, Dublin, London and Washington if there is to be resolution of the appalling vista that is collusion."

He said the scale of exclusion means that such a resolution would require a full independent inquiry and described Britain's 'dirty war' tactics in the North as "the most egregious violation of human rights."

A delegation of over 60 families recently held a meeting with MLAs, including Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness, who pledged support in their fight for justice.

It is expected that many families will attend the debate in the Assembly on Monday night:

"We believe that it is important that the issue of collusion, and the accompanying impunity, will be debated at the heart of government in this part of the jurisdiction and we very much welcome that first step in ensuring that similar debates are held in Dublin, London, Washington and Brussels," Relatives for Justice said.