SDLP Leader Colum Eastwood has said that legacy proposals unveiled by the British Government today are not based on truth or reconciliation but are focused on shutting down investigations into soldiers who may have committed grievous wrongs.
The Foyle MP said that the suggestion that some cases would be closed for good, with no opportunity for further investigation is wrong and will cause immense hurt.
Under the proposals, a small number of Troubles killings will receive “full-blown” investigations under a new approach to dealing with the North of Ireland’s troubled past.
The plan, announced by the British government on Wednesday, will likely disappoint hundreds of families.
It would see the vast majority of almost 2,000 unsolved cases closed and prevented in legislation from ever being re-opened.
The move represents a significant rethink of the legacy issue.
Under what is being proposed, unresolved cases would be “swiftly” assessed by a new independent body.
But only those in which there is “new compelling evidence and a realistic prospect of a prosecution” would move to a full-blown investigation.
Said the Foyle MP: “The British Government’s legacy proposals will cause an immense amount of hurt to victims and survivors and to families who have lost loved ones.
“This is not about dealing with the past ethically, it is not about delivering truth, justice and reconciliation.
“This is about shutting down justice and shielding former soldiers from fulsome investigation indefinitely.
“These proposals also represent a unilateral violation of the international treaty between the British and Irish Governments signed after the Stormont House Agreement.
“It is an act of spectacular bad faith for the Secretary of State to seek to undermine previous agreements in the absence of clear consensus from all parties.
“The measures announced today are designed to create a separate class of cases.
“Where one group receives special treatment because of the uniform they wore.
“That is unacceptable to us. Investigative paths must be followed when evidence is available
“The SDLP will robustly resist these proposals,” added the SDLP leader.
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