Ireland launches human rights case against UK over Troubles Legacy Act

The Irish government is set to launch a human rights case against the UK over its decision to grant immunity for crimes committed during the Troubles.

Ireland’s deputy premier Micheál Martin said the interstate case would be brought against the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023.

Passing the law in September, the UK Government said it would “promote reconciliation” by granting immunity for Troubles-related offences for those who co-operate with the new Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery. The new Act also halts future civil cases and legacy inquests.

But critics have said the law gave amnesty to killers and prevented victims from seeking justice.

Ireland will bring the case under the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). Complying with the ECHR is part of the Good Friday Agreement.

Related Article

Amnesty International has praised the Irish government as “doing the right thing” for victims of Northern Ireland’s Troubles, by “taking a stand”.

Victims and survivors have already taken the UK Government to court in Belfast’s High Court.

The bill was introduced by Boris Johnson’s government in 2021 to “draw a line under the Troubles”.

Mr Martin said in a statement: “This decision was taken after much thought and careful consideration.

“I regret that we find ourselves in a position where such a choice had to be made.

“However, the decision by the British Government not to proceed with the 2014 Stormont House Agreement and instead pursue legislation unilaterally, without effective engagement with the legitimate concerns that we, and many others, raised left us with few options.

“The British Government removed the political option, and has left us only this legal avenue.”