AMNESTY FOR BRITISH SOLDIERS??
THE COVERUP IS EXPOSED. WILL THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT OFFER AN AMNESTY FOR THE KILLINGS BY THEIR MILITARY?
The British military killed 367 people during the conflict in Ireland. Hundreds more were killed in collusion between the British military and unionist paramilitaries. Only 4 members of the British Army were convicted in relation to these killings. Serving minimal sentences and re-joining their regiments when released.
The relentless actions of bereaved families have exposed the actions of successive British Governments in covering up the killings. A comprehensive agreement known as the Stormont House Agreement was signed by the British and Irish Governments and the political parties in December 2014. This agreement was to ensure that all families of all victims could fully access the justice system, uncover information relating to their loss, and support from the state.
In March of last year, after agreeing to finally implement the Stormont House Agreement, the British Government decided that it would not support families bereaved by state forces to access justice. They would effectively block the prosecution of the British military personnel for their actions in Ireland.
This was a unilateral action opposed by the Irish Government, Sinn Féin, the SDLP, Irish America, the Catholic church, and the Alliance Party.
Sinn Féin MP Francie Molloy yesterday said,
"Any attempt to put current or former British soldiers above the law is unacceptable.
“Successive British governments have covered up the role of their armed forces in the conflict in the north and have frustrated families attempting to get to the truth about the killings of their loved ones.
"Instead the British government should be focusing on implementing the legacy mechanisms agreed in the Stormont House Agreement to deal with the legacy of the past."
Yesterday the British Government insisted that they would bring forward legislation to protect their military from the law. The details of which will be announced on the 11th May. This is a calculated insult to the victims, to the Irish Government, and to all parties that signed up to the Stormont House Agreement.
It is also counter to the positions of the US Congress and the Resolution currently being considered in the US Senate. The message to the British Government must be that America stands on the side of justice and of the agreements.
