Truth Recovery Independent Panel Access to Records Consultation

Overview

Promoting access to records

One of the important functions of the Truth Recovery Independent Panel is to provide guidance to people searching for records about themselves and their interaction with Mother and Baby Institutions, Magdalene Laundries and Workhouses.

The Independent Panel’s current Guidance is available here. It provides instructions on how to apply for records held by public authorities and private institutions and organisations.

Why your views matter

Why your experience matters

The Independent Panel intends to develop and expand our Guidance to meet the needs of victims and survivors. This consultation is intended to inform this process of development and expansion. The Panel would like to hear from victims and survivors about their experiences of trying to access records from public authorities and private institutions and organisations. 

For people who have suffered human rights violations, inability to access information and records about their past is an ongoing injustice compounding harms already suffered.

The Independent Panel believes that access to records is, in itself, a form of redress for people who have suffered. Equally, any failure to provide victims and survivors with access to records to which they are entitled is a very serious matter. Information about the experience of victims and survivors in accessing records will inform the Independent Panel’s final report and recommendations.