The Military Covenant: it has a nice ring, doesn’t it? Echoes of the Ulster Covenant and behind that, biblical echoes too. And rightly so. Young men (and some women) who have fought unquestioningly (‘’Theirs not to reason why’) in conflicts throughout the world, and have suffered injury of various kinds in doing so – surely it’s right that they should receive the highest possible level of medical and other support?
In this matter I am on the same paragraph as Ian Paisley, who says that “The DUP are conscious how equality legislation in Northern Ireland has been used to hamper of both the spirit and the practical elements of the Covenant here.”
I would differ from Ian, however, is that equality legislation here doesn’t have to hamper the implementation of the Covenant here. As it stands, the Covenant promises fair treatment, value and respect to soldiers and ex-soldiers, and their families. What’s more, they and their families should be sustained and rewarded generously to match what those soldiers have given their country.
As it stands, the problem is that the Military Covenant strikes at a key element of the Good Friday Agreement: equality. In our new (OK, nearly 20-year-old) dispensation, those in the nationalist community are entitled to the same rights as those in the unionist community. The danger of the Military Covenant is that it risks imbalance. There two possible responses to this risk.
The first is that the Military Covenant should not be implemented here, which many would see as cold-hearted and uncaring for those men and women – and their families- who have given so much. The other answer is, of course, that ex-combatants on all sides – and their families – should be honoured with a level of support commensurate with their sacrifice.
For example, the imprisonment of thousands of republicans would be recompensed with government assistance. Republican – and loyalist – paramilitaries who have been killed in the conflict would be honoured by their families receiving the kind of support and respect that their sacrifice merits.
There may be some carping voices – not many, I grant you – who would claim that republican and unionist paramilitaries – and their families – should under no circumstances receive special support. But of course this negative view would be outweighed by fair-minded public opinion, which would see that the loss of life, imprisonment and family hardship is as real for ex-paramilitaries and their loved ones, as for former soldiers in the British armed forces. Families which have been denied the truth of their loved one’s death would, naturally, head the queue for the compassion and gratitude of the state.
Once again, we must not think in win-lose terms. Properly modified and implemented, the Military Covenant could go a long way to resolving many of the injustices of the past and leave us with a win-win situation. With these modifications and adjustments, the Military Covenant would have my full support and, in my view, that of all fair-minded people.
In what way are ex soldiers suffering from inequality? How are they discriminated against ? How does existing equality legislation not cover them ?
If we’re talking special treatment for ex brits then quite simply that’s ridiculous. Health and housing like every other public service needs to be administered on the basis of need. What’s unfair about that ?
Make way! Make way! My father has just suffered a heart attack!
I’m sorry . A UDR man has just arrived with an ingrown toenail and as he served with distinction in the UDA in Glenanne, he has to get first preference.
I can’t see any argument for applying the military covenant to paramilitary groups.
We might question whether there should be a covenant at all but as it stands it is aimed at support for the armed forces of the state, not (obviously) those who fought against the state.
Perhaps republican ex combatants could seek such a commitment from the state they were fighting for though I doubt if the Irish government would give them much consideration.
Or maybe the ‘legal and lawful government of the Irish Republic’ should step up and take care of their own old soldiers. If only there was still some sort of Army Council to help out.
The problem arises when one digs deeper into the murky past. Remember the British army force who drove around Belfast shooting Catholics? They were British soldiers, should THEY and their families be given this respect and honour? Where do you draw the line?
AJ
Any soldier who did that should of course not receive any benefits from the state.
They should be in prison
That outcome is not going to happen now. So in that at least they have equality with many from paramilitary groups.
This is an arrangement between the British government and its armed forces. I really don’t think the GFA has any bearing on it.
I also don’t think the DUP should be bringing it up in this present negotiation
Gio,
I couldn’t agree with you more. The British government should be looking after their own service people. MOD has a shameful record in this regard. Cities in England are coming down with ex-soldiers begging on the streets.
The DUP should not have this as any part of negotiations.
If it is implemented in the North over the heads of locally elected politicians then it does not look good for powersharing.
I think we should all just forget the past, there is no benefit to be had by dragging up incidents that divide people. Regardless of who carried them out, I think anything pre GFA should be forgotten about in a legal way. Of course relatives are entitled to remember but most people who bring things up do so purely for political reasons.
I’ve just been watching the report on some foreigner who, as a member of the Ulster volunteer force murdered Catholic’s with querying response from the PSnI officer, the same force which ran this bastard, paying him as a tout, the same military which you speak of also ran touts within their extension the Uvf, perhaps the DUP feel this extension, colleagues of theirs, should be covered under the same covenant.
Personally I believe we should dump the enforced coalition, wait for the nationalist majority and remove the lot of them.
This is not a new belief, rather, I’ve believed this since I was six, can’t wait, I’ll drive my wife to the boat myself.
What do you mean – foreigner, Mark?
Well if the Military Covenant goes against the Good Friday Agreement then it obviously cant be implemented. Not to mention the British Army murdered (both directly and indirectly, aka collusion) hundreds of people here, mostly Catholic civilians. So, quite understandably, the Brits aren’t too popular here and they shouldn’t get any kind of special treatment.
That’s the issue with political Unionism in the 6 counties, its their dedicated pursuit of “special treatment” for one side of the community and a deliberate pursuit to disadvantage other communities. I say “communities” because the Catholic community isn’t their only victim (though its their primary) but our growing ethnic minorities are becoming a target by elements of Unionism (KKK and Confederate flags are becoming more and more popular these days). I watched an SDLP member angrily condemn the flying of a racist flag in Lisburn while a DUP member very lightly condemned it and finished off with a “lets not make a fuss about this” attitude. The new MP for South Belfast had a very similar attitude to UVF flags. Its a growing theme within Unionism but if the flag had been Green, White and Orange…..
How will SF/SDLP react to special treatment for British Soldiers? lol i think its going to be a very long time before Stormont is up and running again (if ever), lets put it that way……
Yep , Ryan it looks as though those old doors are to stay shut for a very long time.
stop the wages and the doors will fly open the next day.see some sdlp figure is still drawing 55k wages and he lost his seat in the march election ffs.the lunatics are running the asylum,oh,and the fancy cut price canteen.
On that Billy I would agree absolutely, it was Alex Attwood, why can he not return to being a Solicitor?
maybe he would have to do a days work,and pay full wack for his dinners.lol