'on-the-run' bill

[hellison]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/4440926.stm

I don't like this. I don't like it at all.

It applies to just about anyone who did anything related to paramilitaries/terrorism and didn't get caught.

This could be a paramilitary on-the-run, someone living in Northern Ireland who is charged with an offence before 1998 or a member of the security forces accused of an offence committed when they were combating terrorism.

The case would then go to a special tribunal, consisting of a retired judge sitting without a jury. The tribunal would have all the normal powers of the Crown Court but accused would not have to appear for their trial.

So no public trial, no jury, no judgement, no prison sentence for these thugs, maimers and murderers. They don't even have to SHOW UP. Presumably they can just get their 'You're Guilty!' certificate in the post to hang on the wall.
Apparently it's linked to the prisoner release part of the GFA. Except for the whole part where they were at least tried and sent to prison in the first place. Besides, we all know just how well that has worked out (cf loyalist feuds, CIRA, Northern bank robbery, drug dealing, rioting, Adair, Shoukri, Robert McCartney...).

Also, lets not forget this is being proposed by the same government who want to lock up these nasty NEW possible terrorists for 3 months without trial, while letting the actual terrorists over here get away with murder - in a VERY literal way - because the people pretending to control them (or in the case of the uda/uvf actually admitting they have no control over them anymore) have said they'll play nicely. Honest Gov.

Bah. This is spoiling my day of Gaiman-Squee.

ETA Now THIS is much better news. Cheered me up no end.

Ian Paisley's daughter Rhonda is suing the DUP for sexual discrimination.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/4442060.stm

You go girl!

Comments

[being-here.livejournal.com]

This is not good news at all, and it feels like we become more and more accepting of behaviour like this from the government.

Bah.

But enjoy your Gaiman squeeing and I'm sorry I can't help with the batteries...

[hellison.livejournal.com]

I just have to remember to buy some before I go :p

That bill tho is very worrying. I think one of the parties here is taking to the EU commission for victims' rights tho, which might help.
After all they didn't get the 90 day thing through, so there is always hope!

[being-here.livejournal.com]

True. But I think that each time something like this or the 90 day thing is mooted, even if it doesn't pass into law, it errodes our outrage at further infringments of human rights. It's like we say to ourselves, well this isn't as bad as that 90 day thing, so we don't complain about it - or in the worst cases it doesn't even merit reporting in the media.

[hellison.livejournal.com]

Normally I don't agree with the 'more concessions to terrorists!' rantings, but it's hard to see this as anything else really.

Usually, when you see families of murder victims they seem to be clinging onto the hope that at least they can get justice and something will be *done* about it (again cf the McCartney family. They could have had their brother's killers shot, but they wanted them on trial and in prison). To wait for YEARS for that then suddenly be told "Actually, we're not going to bother, we'll just tell them they're guilty then they can come home, so you can all live happily ever after" must be... actually I haven't a clue how that must feel, I can't think of the words to describe it.

[being-here.livejournal.com]

Agreed.

It's hard to see it as anything other then a vindication of the methods.

[being-here.livejournal.com]

If you email me some of the photos after I will add hearts, arrows and cupids for you ;-)

[hellison.livejournal.com]

yay (on a happier note!)!
That would be so cool :)

[malvino.livejournal.com]

If we admit we can't bring them to trial the terrorists will have won!

[hellison.livejournal.com]

This isn't even just 'admitting', its saying 'ah hell, we don't want to upset you boys with nasty trials and sure it was YEARS ago anyway, who cares about that now? And it's not like you're muslims or anything...'