posted March 04, 2006 04:22 PM              

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UK television's BBC 2 is screening a series of meetings between those who lost relatives or were victims of violence during the Northern Ireland conflict, ('The Troubles') and those who were responsible for the deaths/attacks. IRA and Loyalist gunmen and members of the British army are facing the people they shot at or the families of those they killed.

It's one of the most moving things I think I've ever seen - real honesty and remorse from some of the killers and some attempt at forgiveness and understanding from the victims. I take my hat off to them for their courage.

And the wonderful Archbishop Desmond Tutu is chairing the meetings.

This is how the programme's described on their website...

"A groundbreaking series in which victims and perpetrators of Northern Ireland's conflict meet for the first time. Archbishop Desmond Tutu, the world's champion of truth and reconciliation, oversees these remarkable encounters.

Sat 7.50pm, Sun 8pm, Mon 9pm"

Here's the link.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/bbctwo/programmes/?id=facing_truth

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posted March 04, 2006 04:24 PM              

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Thanks Cardinalgal..

Hope, I love it!

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posted March 05, 2006 12:20 AM              

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"Unfortunately BBC Two video content is only available to users within the UK. We're sorry for any disappointment."

Sounds wonderful, though! Thanks for sharing.

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posted March 05, 2006 01:46 AM              

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Cardinalgal....I was moved.....to see you so moved by this happening...Maybe there's hope for some things in the world, afterall...*sigh*

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posted March 05, 2006 07:20 AM              

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"Unfortunately BBC Two video content is only available to users within the UK. We're sorry for any disappointment."

Damn! Sorry you can't see it but it is a wonderful programme

Thanks Rainbow

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posted March 05, 2006 09:00 AM              

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That sounds wonderful.

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posted March 05, 2006 02:16 PM              

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I can't get to the videos. From what Ive read on the site, that's a nice start. Wish other perpetrators around the world could learn from this example. Are the victims actually accepting of their apologies?

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posted March 05, 2006 06:30 PM              

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In most cases yes; obviously it's very difficult and emotional for them and I don't know that they're at the stage where they can actually feel forgiveness, but it's a vital start to the process.

I believe this should happen where possible in all crimes. It's such a shock to the system of the person who carried out the crime and really does show them the human aspect of their actions. There will of course be some people who are immune to remorse but for those who are, it's instant karma; to see what you've done to someone and to be able to start the process of learning from your mistake is vital I think. And for the victim, there is a chance to say all those things that would otherwise be internalised or directed at the wrong people because the one who deserves to hear them is protected from you. It lets the feelings out where they belong instead of leaving them to fester and rot within.

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posted March 05, 2006 06:47 PM              

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very true..Cardinalgal..healing..

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posted March 05, 2006 06:59 PM              

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Yes, very true. I've seen a few examples of something similiar where the families of murder victims confronted the killer, who was usually on death row. Sometimes the family was still very angry and reallly just wanted an excuse to scream at the murderer - and who could blame them? - but some were clearly looking for some answers or just some closure of some sort.

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