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MAGINNESS - PARAMILITARIES MUST DECOMMISSION WEAPONS NOW SDLP Justice Spokesman Alban Maginness has said the onus remains on loyalist terror groups to decommission their weapons. Speaking after the Secretary of State announced paramilitaries are to get one last chance to put their weapons beyond use under a government amnesty, Mr Maginness said their continued existence was an affront to society. He said: “The SDLP has consistently called for full decommissioning by all paramilitary groups. “It is extremely disappointing that 14 years after their ceasefire the UDA are still to begin this process. The SDLP has never shied away from the need for full decommissioning by all groups. A decommissioning deadline was put into the Good Friday Agreement, which was attacked by Unionist parties. “The continued existence of paramilitary groups and elements in our society cannot be tolerated under any circumstances. One of the fundamental tests of moving towards a fully normalised society is the removal of the last vestiges of paramilitary control over our communities. “While I welcome the fact that the Secretary of State has put a definitive end date on the legal means for paramilitary groups to disarm and disband it is disappointing he has taken a Johnny Logan - What's another year? - approach to the issue now. “Those living in loyalist communities have had their patience tested long enough and want to see progress without delay. “Until all parliamentary groups, loyalist and dissident republican, are consigned to the past, the full potential for our community’s future cannot be realised. “It is also clear that the devolution of Policing and Justice powers to the Assembly would be a crucial part of ending the anomaly of armed groups coexisting with an increasingly stable society.” |
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