Paramilitary Violence and Human Rights: The Northern Ireland Conflict

During the Troubles in Northern Ireland, the vast majority of unlawful killings and maimings were perpetrated by republican and loyalist paramilitaries. Primitive forms of “punishment” by these organisations were common, as were cold-blooded murders. The vigilante-style “punishment” attacks excited less concern than might be expected, even from human rights organisations in Northern Ireland. Yet the international human rights community, including Amnesty International, has long since adopted a more holistic interpretation of what constitutes a human rights violation. To achieve reconciliation, this article argues it is necessary to acknowledge that serious human rights violations were perpetrated not just by the state but also, and much more frequently, by paramilitary organisations. Not to do so is to support a portrayal of the Troubles which is highly distorted.