UK: Military prosecutions bill will have a "devastating impact on reputation of armed forces"

Responding to the introduction of a bill which would restrict prosecutions for offences committed by British soldiers in conflicts overseas, Kate Allen, Amnesty UK Director, said:

“Placing soldiers above the law helps no one and will have a devastating impact on the reputation of the UK armed forces.

“No respectable government should be seeking to shield one group of people from the normal workings of the criminal justice system where there are credible allegations of wrong-doing.

“The solution to ensuring investigations are not repeated is to get them right the first time. The Government cannot simply place one group of people above the law.”