In the midst of all the negativity, there is a lot to be proud of when a country - at its highest level - is capable of making amends for recent mistakes.After over 10 years of relentless work, including thousands of statements from soldiers, civilians, photographers and police officers, the Saville report concluded that the British Army was guilty of shooting unarmed and innocent civilians on January 30, 1972 in Londonderry, a day that became known as "Bloody Sunday".
Critics may argue that the government's apology doesn't go far enough, or that - after almost forty years - it may be too little too late.
On the other side, supporters of the British army maintain that soldiers in Northern Ireland were subjected to the most severe provocation and that the events had to be seen within the context of a what was effectively a "shooting war".
But in the midst of all the negativity, there is a lot to be proud of when a country - at its highest level - is capable, not only of seeking the truth, but also of saying "sorry" and making amends for recent mistakes.
Several European countries grappled with political violence in the 1970s and 1980s, yet most governments are still a long way away from recognising their share of responsibility.
Which is actually what should set democracy off from the ideology of violence and terrorism: the ability to say that we don't need to go down the same barbaric route if we want to achieve a political goal.
That Britain managed to do so is something to be saluted rather than nitpicked.
It is important though that a line in the sand is drawn with the Saville report.
Critics may argue that the government's apology doesn't go far enough, or that - after almost forty years - it may be too little too late.
On the other side, supporters of the British army maintain that soldiers in Northern Ireland were subjected to the most severe provocation and that the events had to be seen within the context of a what was effectively a "shooting war".
But in the midst of all the negativity, there is a lot to be proud of when a country - at its highest level - is capable, not only of seeking the truth, but also of saying "sorry" and making amends for recent mistakes.
Several European countries grappled with political violence in the 1970s and 1980s, yet most governments are still a long way away from recognising their share of responsibility.
Which is actually what should set democracy off from the ideology of violence and terrorism: the ability to say that we don't need to go down the same barbaric route if we want to achieve a political goal.
That Britain managed to do so is something to be saluted rather than nitpicked.
It is important though that a line in the sand is drawn with the Saville report.
Those calling for prosecutions forget that this would only reopen wounds and kickstart a new round of grievances and finger-pointing. And that's without counting the devastating impact of having soldiers in prison 40 years after an event, while convicted multiple murderers and terrorists enjoy their freedom.
There's no way the peace process can gain anything from it.
There's no way the peace process can gain anything from it.
