The number of so-called punishment attacks in the North has fallen by more than 50 per cent this year compared to the same period in 1999. In the first two months of this year, there were 25 paramilitary shootings and beatings compared to 63 in January and February of the previous year, according to RUC figures.
Loyalists were responsible for 20 such attacks this year - seven shootings and 13 beatings. The Provisional IRA has not been involved in any shootings but re publicans are understood to have been involved in five beatings.
In the same period in 1999, loyalists carried out 42 such at tacks - 12 shootings and 30 beatings. The Provisional IRA was responsible for 21 - six shootings and 15 beatings. The last shootings understood to have been carried out by the Provisionals was last October in Strabane, Co Derry. A 32-year-old man was shot in both knees and a 37-year-old man was shot in the leg in the Ballycolman Estate.
Mr Vincent McKenna of the Northern Ireland Human Rights Bureau said that while there were five beatings by republicans this year, he did not believe they were sanctioned by the Provisional IRA leadership. "I think they were the work of local individuals. I don't believe they were authorised by the leadership," he said. While all beatings were horrendous, these five attacks were considerably less vicious than previous republican assaults.
"They are a case of people using their fists against others. Iron bars, for instance, were not used. There was no mutilation of the victims." Mr McKenna said there had been an apparent end to these attacks by the Provisional IRA since Sinn Fein entered the executive in December.
He expressed concern that loyalist attacks were still continuing and he accused the Northern Ireland Office and some unionist politicians of turning a blind eye.
There were two loyalist attacks in north Belfast last week. A 17-year-old man was shot in the leg in Deacon Street on Friday, and earlier in the week a 41-year-old man was shot in the leg in Glasgow Street.
Ulster Unionist councillor Mr Jim Rodgers said the attacks were clearly the work of mainstream loyalist groups such as the UDA and UVF. "No attempt should be made to blame dissident loyalists. These appalling shootings and beatings are solely the work of the mainstream paramilitaries."