Britain has enacted a law preventing prosecution for past religiously-motivated killings in Northern Ireland, with around 1,000 affected families.
Background: From 1969, a conflict known as the “Troubles” erupted between Roman Catholics and Protestants in Northern Ireland, with the British Army’s longest-ever deployment and over 3,500 casualties.
* The law is in response to protracted fights and unrest which led to many deaths such as that of Tony Harrison, a 21-year-old British paratrooper, who was killed in 1991.
The Legal Shift: The Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act took effect on Sept. 21, limiting investigations and legal proceedings related to decades-old violence.
* The law offers conditional amnesty to perpetrators who disclose information about conflict-related crimes.
* All intelligence records will be sealed.
Beliefs About the Change: UK lawmaker Jonathan Michael Caine, who sponsored the legislation, and veterans’ groups believe the law allows society in Northern Ireland to “move on”.
* However, families of the victims argue that it denies them justice, and there have been at least 11 separate legal challenges filed against it.
Impact on Victim Families: The law has ended ongoing investigations for around 1,000 families, who have lost their chance to seek justice for the death of their loved ones.
* Martha Seaman, whose son was killed in the conflict, has filed a legal case with help from the Centre for Military Justice, challenging the British government, stating that it breaches their rights under the European Convention on Human Rights.
View original article on NPR
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