“British Government is Afraid of Justice, Truth and Accountability"

“British Government is Afraid of Justice, Truth and Accountability" - Cllr Denise Mullen, Aontú

Aontú has branded the 'North of Ireland Legacy Bill', which is being voted upon today, as a "shameful slap in the face to victims of British State collusion".

Speaking today, Aontú Deputy Leader, Cllr Denise Mullen, said:

"By offering participants in the commission freedom from legal prosecution, the British government has effectively given them amnesty for the crimes they committed in the north of Ireland. This cuts victims and survivors off from accessing justice and the truth and has intensified their pain and suffering. The failure of the Irish government to engage with legacy issues, coupled with British unilateralism runs against the principles set out in The Good Friday agreement and Stormont house agreement. The Irish government must act and not just engage in rhetoric and condemnations which do not produce results. The government must harness the full power of the White House and the EU to force the British Government to do the right thing.

Cllr Mullen continued: "The amnesty proposal that will be forced through by the Tory government will abrogate the legacy protections and rights to justice for victims and survivors enshrined in previous treaties and agreements. It is the entitlement, and I'd argue, the duty of the Irish government to use international courts to protect international agreements signed by the British government to stop this conscious, deliberate and egregious violation of law to cover up their crimes. The Irish government must show they are willing to stand up for the people of the North not only in words, but in deeds as well.”

"In contrast to Stormont’s failings, Aontú will stand up for victims and survivors of British collusion and push forward to deliver truth and justice. We seek an All-Ireland Investigation into British Collusion, and we will be introducing legislation to trigger such an investigation. We are also working to bring about a Judicial Review to prevent the legislation from coming into effect. The illegal Tory Amnesty would contravene Britain’s obligations to the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), the Good Friday Agreement and the Stormont House Agreement. Every legal, legislative and diplomatic avenue must be exhausted to stop this Amnesty coming into place", concluded Cllr Mullen.

ENDS

The Irish political system is radically broken

In Ireland the vast majority of elected representatives put a finger in the air to check which way the political wind is blowing. They have one eye on their leaders – seeking brownie points – and another eye keeping their seat safe. If elected reps shut up and do as they’re told, they are promoted; if they stand up for what they believe in, they are demoted. No wonder we have the political class we have. No wonder one point one billion euro is being buried in a hole under the National Children’s Hospital and that Stormont is in stalemate.

Throughout Ireland, many people are now afraid to say what they feel, many are afraid to respectfully engage on a range of different topics. Many feel there is a new censorship and a new political correctness in Ireland, that opposition to the establishment is being deleted.

Respectful opposition is not the enemy. Respectful opposition is a critical element of a functional democracy. Aontú will have the backbone to stand up, without fear, for you.