15/07/2021
British Govt Accused Of Attempting To 'Hide Its Role In The Conflict'
The British government is "intent on hiding its role in the conflict and putting its forces beyond the law", Sinn Féin's Michelle O'Neill has said.
The Deputy First Minister was responding after Boris Johnson confirmed that the UK government would bring forward legislation to ban all prosecutions related to the Troubles.
She said: "Once again the British government has shown its complete disregard for the people of the north, for victims of the conflict, for our peace process and for its agreements.
"Families who have campaigned with dignity and determination have been left angered and hurt by this further attempt by the British government to cover up the truth and put its forces beyond the law.
"Some of these families have been fighting for truth for five decades. They have been forced to take to the streets and to go to the courts in an attempt to find out the truth about the deaths of their loved ones.
"It's clear that the British government's objective is to end independent investigations, inquests, judicial reviews, civil cases and also prosecutions involving British soldiers already before the courts.
"Such unilateral proposals are a clear breach of the British government's Stormont House Agreement and their New Decade New Approach commitments. This unilateral approach is opposed by all five main political parties in the north and the Irish government.
"These proposals are about putting British state forces who killed Irish citizens beyond the law. It is further insult to grieving families.
"This is about the British government simply protecting their own state forces and the policy makers responsible for shoot to kill, state murder and collusion; facilitating impunity and blocking accountability.
"If the current legacy process is to deliver for victims, in a human rights compliant manner, there can be no amnesty or statute of limitation for British state forces or intention to interfere with due legal process in respect of legacy inquests, judicial reviews, civil cases or prosecution cases involving British soldiers already before the courts.
"We will continue to demand the implementation of the internationally agreed Stormont House Agreement and stand with the families in their search for truth and justice."
The Deputy First Minister was responding after Boris Johnson confirmed that the UK government would bring forward legislation to ban all prosecutions related to the Troubles.
She said: "Once again the British government has shown its complete disregard for the people of the north, for victims of the conflict, for our peace process and for its agreements.
"Families who have campaigned with dignity and determination have been left angered and hurt by this further attempt by the British government to cover up the truth and put its forces beyond the law.
"Some of these families have been fighting for truth for five decades. They have been forced to take to the streets and to go to the courts in an attempt to find out the truth about the deaths of their loved ones.
"It's clear that the British government's objective is to end independent investigations, inquests, judicial reviews, civil cases and also prosecutions involving British soldiers already before the courts.
"Such unilateral proposals are a clear breach of the British government's Stormont House Agreement and their New Decade New Approach commitments. This unilateral approach is opposed by all five main political parties in the north and the Irish government.
"These proposals are about putting British state forces who killed Irish citizens beyond the law. It is further insult to grieving families.
"This is about the British government simply protecting their own state forces and the policy makers responsible for shoot to kill, state murder and collusion; facilitating impunity and blocking accountability.
"If the current legacy process is to deliver for victims, in a human rights compliant manner, there can be no amnesty or statute of limitation for British state forces or intention to interfere with due legal process in respect of legacy inquests, judicial reviews, civil cases or prosecution cases involving British soldiers already before the courts.
"We will continue to demand the implementation of the internationally agreed Stormont House Agreement and stand with the families in their search for truth and justice."
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
04 March 2024
New Report Highlights Current State Of NI Rivers
No single stretch of river in Northern Ireland is is "good overall health", this was the message of the Rivers Trust, in its latest 'State Of Our Rivers Report'.
New Report Highlights Current State Of NI Rivers
No single stretch of river in Northern Ireland is is "good overall health", this was the message of the Rivers Trust, in its latest 'State Of Our Rivers Report'.
19 February 2024
Tax Credit Families Receiving Latest Cost Of Living Payment
HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has announced that the latest £299 Cost of Living Payment is now being made to around 700,000 families in receipt of tax credits. HMRC is making the payments to eligible tax credits customers across the UK between 16 and 22 February 2024.
Tax Credit Families Receiving Latest Cost Of Living Payment
HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has announced that the latest £299 Cost of Living Payment is now being made to around 700,000 families in receipt of tax credits. HMRC is making the payments to eligible tax credits customers across the UK between 16 and 22 February 2024.
21 March 2024
Down Royal Announces Fibrus As New Headline Sponsor
Racegoers of all ages across Northern Ireland are being encouraged to attend Down Royal's brand-new Fibrus Family Race Day taking place on Sunday 14th April 2024. This partnership will see Fibrus secure title naming rights to this year's new race meeting bringing the total number of fixtures at Down Royal in 2024 to fourteen.
Down Royal Announces Fibrus As New Headline Sponsor
Racegoers of all ages across Northern Ireland are being encouraged to attend Down Royal's brand-new Fibrus Family Race Day taking place on Sunday 14th April 2024. This partnership will see Fibrus secure title naming rights to this year's new race meeting bringing the total number of fixtures at Down Royal in 2024 to fourteen.
14 March 2024
Working Families Urged To Explore Childcare Savings Ahead Of Holidays
HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has called on working families who have yet to sign up for Tax-Free Childcare to find out how they could save money on their childcare costs in time for the school holidays.
Working Families Urged To Explore Childcare Savings Ahead Of Holidays
HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has called on working families who have yet to sign up for Tax-Free Childcare to find out how they could save money on their childcare costs in time for the school holidays.
17 September 2021
Amnesty International Condemns Govt Amnesty Proposals
British armed forces cannot be placed above the rule of law and accountability, Sinn Féin MLA Gerry Kelly has said. Mr Kelly has welcomed a submission by Amnesty International to the United Nations, which stated that the British government's amnesty proposals are "an utter betrayal of victims and must not become law".
Amnesty International Condemns Govt Amnesty Proposals
British armed forces cannot be placed above the rule of law and accountability, Sinn Féin MLA Gerry Kelly has said. Mr Kelly has welcomed a submission by Amnesty International to the United Nations, which stated that the British government's amnesty proposals are "an utter betrayal of victims and must not become law".
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:Mainly dry this morning with sunny spells then scattered showers breaking out this afternoon. A chilly start then feeling warmer in afternoon sunshine. Light southerly winds. Maximum temperature 11 °C.Tonight:Any showers at first soon dying out. Then dry overnight with clear periods and turning chilly with a touch of frost later tonight. Minimum temperature 1 °C.