We’ve been having great debate about the On The Run legislation this week.
To my frustration and disappointment, the “On The Run” bill was approved in the House Of Commons by a majority of 310 to 262. However, I was heartened when I heard that this isn’t the end of the road for this legislation. Apparently it faces significant amendment in light of the strong opposition to it.
The “On The Run” Issue Is A No-Brainer
Why are we even discussing this?
These people – regardless of whatever cause they claim – chose to take the lives of their fellow human beings. Whether this was fuelled by religious hatred or political differences, it clear that these people are capable of murder. Has being ‘on the run’ rehabilitated them in any way?
Each of us is blessed with free will. We choose to take certain actions, and we have to deal with the consequences. So, if I walk into my local shop today and choose to shoot the checkout girl, will I be granted an amnesty? Of course not.
Now, I don’t care whether this applies to Republicans, Loyalists or security forces. The principle is the same. Kill a person – go to jail. Not kill a person, leave the country then return a decade later without serious consequence.
Really, what kind of message is this sending out?
The Motivations Of Sinn Fein
In Northern Ireland, terrorists consistently top the agenda, ahead of any other single issue. And why exactly is that? Because folk consistently vote for parties that have a narrow, often sectarian focus.
Look at our ‘friends’ in Sinn Fein.
levee: “What’ve you been up to lately, Gerry?”
Gerry: “Oh, well, we’ve just negotiated a bit of legislation that allows some of our old muckers in the ‘Ra back into the country without going to jail. Cracker, levee. Cracker.” His eyes glaze over a bit as he images those emotional reunions
levee: “What’s the latest on those water charges, Gerry? I’m worrying about how we’ll cope with the extra burden, you know.”
Gerry: “Err…water charges? We’ll need to work something out with Tony about the Northern Bank gang first….”
So, it comes as no surprise that Gerry and his pals aren’t willing to share this amnesty with ‘state forces’. Oh no, because that means they’d effectively have to shut up about collusion. And all the while those water charges are looming larger…
How Many More Hurdles Until The Politicians Leave Us In Peace?
I ask myself every time something like this happens in Northern Ireland. How many more hurdles are going to be invented by political parties here before there’s nothing left to argue about? There’s always something, isn’t there? How much of it is reality and how much of it is fabrication designed to keep the conflict alive and the wounds raw?
Finally, does anyone else wonder what the result would have been if this had been submitted to a referendum? More importantly, does anyone wonder why it was not submitted to a referendum?
Mr Levee: Excellent update, I couldnt agree more. To-Morrow on El Blogador I’ll attempt to throw some light on what’s really going on this week. Adams and Co. believe they have got another set of concessions from their new dear friend Tony bLiar but what they really got, was a pig in a poke.
This time instead of being smart for out smarting they really have been to smart for their own good.
Mr L:
But..we don’t know:
who these people are;
what they did, or are alleged to have done;
what they will admit to.
We DO know:
a couple of their names;
that no-one will EVER be made amenable for a range of offences unless someone owns up;
that people will own up under the proposals;
that some victims will learn and see who did something wrong to them;
that they will not serve jail or be hung…
You will see in another place that I have vigorously defended my position and also the nature of the responses I have received.
I’d appreciate your comments, either here or to my email if you would like to be more discrete.
Today’s irish independent – Michael McDowell has said that names will be given for anybody pardoned in the ROI.
We should never glorify those in Northern Ireland who have perpetuated and instigated violent acts in the name of politics/history. Yet many still argue that violence is necessary in certain circumstances. However it seems to me that the idea that a person believes in a cause so strongly that they feel they can justify murder is undermined if they are too gutless to stand up for their beliefs. For example, in my mind the hunger strikers are not heroes, they chose to die, a choice they did not afford to their victims. Yet the one thing you can say about them is that they stood up for what they believed in. Northern Ireland paramilitaries who are on the run are cowards, a cause that was once so important to them that they killed for it was abandoned when they realised that they may have to pay the price for their actions.
These people skulked off in the middle of the night to live as fugitives, they abdicated all responsibility for their actions and instead of punishing them the government is welcoming them back without asking them to stand in front of a court, which may be just too inconvenient for them. It was said that to ask the fugitives to go to court would be too humiliating for the IRA; this conveniently forgets how humiliated and hurt the families of the victims must be.
In addition, the fact that the bill is a quid pro quo for IRA decommissioning ignores the fact that Loyalist paramilitaries are coming home too.
In my opinion, the Bill will not succeed on its passage through the Lords unless it is amended to include an appearance before the courts. The House of Lords (the Law Lords to be precise) is the highest court in the land and I can not see them accepting such contempt for the rule of law. Yet as a legislative body the Upper House is relatively weak and can not reject a Bill, they can only delay it for 12 months so the government and Sinn Fein will probably see their friends again quite soon.
I can not help but point out the irony that Blair found it necessary recently to fight for legislation allowing people suspected of terrorist acts, with little proof, to be held for 90 days, yet people who are actually guilty of similar or worse acts will not spend as much as one hour in prison. Does this make sense to anyone?
Firstly, the referendum question.
Certain issues are positively decided NOT to be put trhough this because the opinion of the referendum would not suit the broader strategic issue.
One local issue for example is water charges, another is hanging. One would be rejected (meaning govt plans to align NI taxation with GB would be frustrated) the other probably passed – which would have meant the Birmingham 6 Guildford 4 etc would all be dead men and women.
I care not a jot for the inconvenience of the OTRs, I simply think their position should have been dealt with in the GFA – this was prob. a step too far for DT.
As for the guilt of the OTRs here we plunge into unknown territory -as above I think we dont know who we are talking about – or what they are alleged to have done. I honestly think in time all this will blow over, but I acknledge the genuine prolems it causes – but many victims are already looking beyond this hiccup.