Straw commends remarkable people

JUSTICE Secretary Jack Straw commended peace campaigners Colin and Wendy Parry, who lost their son Tim 17 years ago today (March 20), as “absolutely remarkable people” when he gave a special peace lecture to mark the 10th anniversary of the Warrington Peace Centre.
He said the terrorist murders of Tim Parry and Johnathan Ball, in whose name this Peace Centre was established, “profoundly horrified the whole of the civilised world.”
“These children were too young to have ever played a part in politics. In any event there is never any excuse for terrorist violence. The terrorists did not care about the casualties they inflicted; tragically these children lost their lives. Nothing can heal the abiding grief of their families.
“As one film I recently saw said, the loss of a child is a life sentence.
“But these murders had two effects, wholly unintended by the terrorists who perpetrated them; first, the atrocity was so shocking that it gave added impetus to what was then a very fragile peace process; and second, the deaths were the inspiration for the Foundation.
“Over the past 17 years you have worked to promote non-violent resolution to disputes, and to encourage tolerance and respect for diversity. These are the building blocks for a peaceful world.
“You have asked for my observations on the pursuit of a peaceful society, both from the vantage point of my current role as Justice Secretary but also by reflecting on my previous incarnations as Home Secretary and Foreign Secretary.The rule of law is vital to the creation of a peaceful world.”
After presenting his peace lecture Mr Straw added: “The Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Foundation for Peace is a vibrant educational peace charity. The charity inspires people to lead more peaceful lives by participating in educational programmes which help them to understand conflict and reduce or eliminate violence. It reaches young people who are on the fringes of society, excluded or at risk of social exclusion and helps them to re-engage in learning and social opportunities. It is tackling grass-roots problems in communities such as racial tension and violence borne out of inter-community prejudice.
“Wendy and Colin have made their own unique contribution for peace and reconciliation. They are absolutely remarkable people, who are to be warmly commended for all their efforts.”
Tim Parry and Johnathan Ball both died following the IRA bombing of Bridge Street 17 years ago today, on March 20 1993 when more than 50 shoppers were injured by two bomb blasts.
The IRA had made a failed bomb attack on the Warrington gas works the previous week when a police officer was shot.