The United Kingdom Government has called for the limitation of the charges relating to the armed conflict in Northern Ireland. The measure would affect the crimes committed prior to the 1998 Good Friday peace agreement: They would end the accusations and trials against British soldiers and volunteers of anger.

Northern Ireland Minister Brandon Lewis said this law is "the best way to promote reconciliation." He has acknowledged that this is a difficult measure to accept for many, but has warned of the "painful reality" and has described it as an opportunity to seek "the truth". “Continuous judicial proceedings are often not valid for families and victims and there is a risk of further progress in a society that seeks to heal the wounds of the past.”

Between 2015 and 2021, only nine people have been charged for crimes in conflict. In addition, the Northern Ireland Police still has 1,200 cases in hand, so the process could culminate in more than twenty years in prison. In view of the poor results obtained by the measures implemented, Lewis has insisted on the need for changes in the House of Commons.

If adopted, the law would enter into force from next summer. This means that those convicted so far would not be granted pardon. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has described the decision as "balanced" and has advocated a law allowing Northern Ireland to "move forward" in the implementation of European legislation.

Views against

According to the British BBC, the Northern Ireland victim community has asked Lewis to take a new route of redress. Many have asked him for "justice," and if he wants to find a truly effective way of achieving peace, he has been asked to dialogue with "those affected by pain and trauma."

The opposition and the five parties of the coalition government in Northern Ireland have also been harshly charged against the bill. Jeffrey Donaldson, of the Unionist Democratic Party (DUP), said prescribing crimes would be "an offense" to the victims and this Friday he wants to meet Lewis to discuss his decision in the Northern Ireland Assembly.

Two other repair pathways

According to the Berria newspaper, the British Government has made two further proposals to advance the armed conflict in Northern Ireland. An independent investigation committee will be set up to enable families wishing to do so to request consideration of their cases. On the other hand, citizens and those affected will also launch a project in which they will share their experiences.

Several acquittals

Earlier this month, the Northern Ireland prosecutor’s office withdrew two former UK soldiers who were prosecuted for three killings. Last April, two other soldiers were acquitted for procedural irregularities.

According to a report by the British Parliament in February 2021, six former British military personnel had so far been charged for their involvement in the armed conflict. The last case occurred in April 2019. The popular accusation of Northern Ireland, for its part, has since 2011 investigated 26 cases of prosecution, 21 of them of paramilitaries.