Ógra Fianna Fáil condemns the British government’s decision to introduce a statute of limitations which stops former British soldiers being charged over incidents that occurred before the Good Friday Agreement while on duty in the six counties.
If this ban is introduced, it will be an unprincipled, cynical betrayal of victims by the British government that poses a massive obstacle to truth and reconciliation.
Former British soldiers, regardless of their age and the amount of time passed need to face the consequences for their actions while on duty in the six counties.
Through a collective approach we can deal with legacy issues comprehensively and fairly in a way that responds to the needs of victims, survivors and society as a whole. The British government’s decision does not do that.
This is unwanted news at a time when much progress has been made regarding the future of the six counties such as the establishment of the SDLP’s New Ireland Commission and the agreement to convene the British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference for the first time in two years.
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