Political Support, Justice and Taking Back Control

Whilst the experience of the families of the Disappeared involved a very painful personal journey, there was also a very public element to this process. Events at a local, national and international level impacted the experience of the families, and these socio-political events often guided the process that was possible. Central to these events were the emergence of a ceasefire by paramilitary groups, the ongoing peace process negotiations and the involvement of international political figures. The involvement of President Clinton was highlighted as particularly significant for the families. Alongside this political engagement, the role of local communities in coming to support families and acknowledging the use of disappearances was a significant issue for the families. This chapter explores the impact of these events and tracks how the personal experiences of families was very much impacted by ongoing external events.