“SEFF will be deepening its relationships with those supporting the innocent victims and survivors of terrorism across N.I., R.O.I, G.B., Mainland Europe and beyond.”

This view was expressed by Kenny Donaldson, Director of Services at South East Fermanagh Foundation, following the European Innocent Victims of Terrorism Conference held in Enniskillen recently. 

Reflecting on the seminar, Mr. Donaldson stated that they were “greatly encouraged by the contributions” on Saturday, February 27, “from the innocent victims and survivors of terrorism, many felt empowered to speak out and articulate their needs to politicians and other policymakers.”

He felt that the presence of the Spanish contingent “really added value” to the programme. “The spoken language may be different in Spain to the spoken language in the UK/R.O.I however the language of innocent victims of terrorism is an exact read across,” said Mr. Donaldson.

He pointed out that “going forward” from the recent seminar, “SEFF will be deepening its relationships with those supporting the innocent victims and survivors of terrorism across N.I., R.O.I, G.B., mainland Europe and beyond.” He said they “are committed to building a pan alliance of groups and individuals” who “are committed to challenging terrorist dogma, in whatever form it presents itself.”

Speaking on the Sunday (the day afterwards), Mr. Donaldson continued: “The dignity and humility of those in attendance yesterday was awe inspiring, it is the innocent victims and survivors of terrorism who are the heroes and martyrs - not the terrorists who went out to extinguish the life of their fellow neighbours.”

Mr. Donaldson, one of the speakers, said they were pleased to have in attendance the Chief Constable PSNI George Hamilton, Victims’ Commissioner, several respected academics, Church leaders, MEPs Jim Nicholson and Diane Dodds, Emma Pengelly (Junior Minster responsible for Victims’ issues) Bertha McDougall (VSS Management Board member), the Chief Superintendent of Dundalk Garda Station and Ruairi de Burca, Joint Secretary of The British-Irish Intergovernmental Secretariat.

But most importantly, he said there was “over a dozen GB and R.O.I-based innocent victims and survivors of terrorism who joined with dozens of locally based victims and survivors.” 

The keynote address - a video feed - was delivered by Teresa Jimenez-Becerril MEP, whose brother was killed by ETA in Seville in 1998. His wife was also murdered in the attack. 

The Conference Chairman was Paul Clark, and the welcome to the event, which was held at the Lough Erne Resort, was given by SEFF’s Chairperson (Eric Brown).