oh The Legacy and Reconciliation Act 2023, approved by London last September, is incompatible with the UK’s obligations under the European Convention on Human Rights, Irish Deputy Prime Minister Michael Martin said today.
“This decision has been taken after careful consideration. I am sorry to find that we have been forced to take this decision,” the Irish leader said.
Martin argued that the London government had decided to pass the law “unilaterally” and was ignoring Ireland’s “legitimate concerns”.
“The British government has stripped us of political will and left us with this legal route,” said the Dublin government’s ‘number two’, a coalition between Christian Democrats, centrists and the Greens.
The Irish Deputy Prime Minister also recalled that incorporating the European Convention on Human Rights into Northern Ireland law was a “specific and fundamental requirement of the Good Friday Agreement” — the Belfast Agreement, signed by the British and Irish governments in 1998. Supported by the majority of Northern Irish political parties – this ended the conflict in the British province.
“Since the UK first introduced the legislation, this government has consistently said it is inconsistent with the convention. We have taken every opportunity to make our concerns known and to urge the UK government to stop the legislation,” Martin said.
The Deputy First Minister insisted on putting victims at the center of the debate on the legislation, which is opposed by all Northern Irish parties and human rights organisations.
In particular, Martin noted, there are concerns about “provisions allowing the granting of immunity” and others that “close existing avenues” to clarify “milestone cases” including “police investigations, ombudsman investigations or civil proceedings”. .
The conflict in Northern Ireland pitted Catholics against Protestants who wanted to preserve ties with the United Kingdom, fighting for independence or integration into the Republic of Ireland.
The conflict was extremely violent and lasted from the late 1960s until the signing of the Belfast Agreement.
Amnesty International today welcomed the Irish Government’s decision to bring an “interstate claim” against the UK.
The Irish government is “doing the right thing for victims, protecting the rule of law and human rights,” said the organisation’s deputy director for Northern Ireland. Grainne Deckard.
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