SDLP leader Mark Durkan has accused Sinn Fein of "hypocrisy" over their treatment of victims.
Speaking at an SDLP Youth conference at the weekend, Mr Durkan claimed his party are the only one to stand by its manifesto commitments.
"There's one thing about the Provisional Movement that has not changed: their hypocrisy. They counsel about de
livering justice to the heartbroken family of one innocent victim of violence – Emmett Shiels. Yet, they continue to conspire to deny truth and justice to the family of another – Robert McCartney.
"Our party knows what we stand for – and what we won't stand for. Not just some of the time, but all of the time. When we take a stance, it is not just because it is convenient, but because it is our conviction," he said.
The Foyle MP told delegates at the conference to mark the 40th anniversary of the civil rights campaign that his party will be defending human rights.
"No longer mesmerised at the fact of power-sharing government, the public want to know what government is doing to make a real difference for them," he said. "They want to know which party has the best ideas to guide our economy through challenging times and steer us towards the prosperity we all deserve. At a time when people are struggling to make ends meet, they want a party that cares about them – not parties who are only obsessed about themselves and their status," he said.
