On 24th and 25th October the Truth Recovery Independent Panel held their in-person meeting at Boston College in Dublin.
The Independent Panel had the opportunity to engage with the National Archives team and attend a reception at the Royal Irish Academy (‘RIA’).
Meeting with the National Archive Team
The Independent Panel’s meeting with the National Archive team was an opportunity to discuss best practices in archival research, the challenges of preserving sensitive historical records, and methods to improve access to those records.
The discussions focused on:
- approaches to managing archived records with accuracy, integrity and respect for those they represent.
- understanding the need to balance privacy with transparency, and particular attention should be given to victims-survivors who wish to access records that hold pieces of their life experiences.
- emphasing the need to have support services available when people are able to view records relating to them in an archive.
Reception at the Royal Irish Academy
The Independent Panel attended a reception at the Royal Irish Academy launching their new Report, ‘Archives, Access and Human Rights Symposium’. The event brought together archivists, historians, and human rights advocates.
Co-Chairs, Professor Leanne McCormick and Professor Sean O’Connell, were invited to speak at the event. They highlighted:
- the link between access to information and upholding human rights, as for many people access to institutional records is crucial for their identities and experiences.
the need to ensure that victims-survivors are at the heart of any process that seeks truth and justice, bringing attention to the valuable contributions of the Victim-Survivor Representative members on the Independent Panel.
- the importance of north-south cooperation between governments, advocacy groups, and public bodies to ensure transparency.
We are grateful for the insights provided the National Archives team and for the enriching conversations at the Royal Irish Academy.