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Troubles legacy bill risks breaching human rights

Document Cited authorities 1 Cited in Related
Vincent
Published date27 October 2022
Publication titleBirmingham Mail (England)
The Joint Committee on Human Rights has urged the Government to reconsider its approach following legislative scrutiny of the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Bill

The move will encourage Birmingham pub bombings campaign group, Justice4the21, which continues to campaign for truth, justice and accountability over the IRA terror attacks in the city in 1974 and is fighting the planned legislation.

The bill has already been through the House of Commons and is now set for consideration by the House of Lords.

The legislation proposes a form of amnesty for perpetrators of Troubles crimes in exchange for cooperation with a new truth recovery body.

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The bill, if enacted, would also end inquests and civil proceedings related to the conflict. The changes are opposed by political parties and victims' groups in Northern Ireland, as well the Irish government.

In its report, the cross-party committee warned that the bill's approach risks failing to meet the minimum standards required to ensure effective investigations into Troubles-related cases concerning deaths and serious injury.

a new for dealing legacy of the a complex task... Cherry

It said that the right to life and the prohibition of torture under the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) require that the State undertake investigations into certain cases concerning deaths and serious harm which are independent, effective, reasonably prompt and expeditious, subject to public scrutiny, and involve the next-ofkin. The committee has also expressed concern that shutting down avenues to pursue truth and justice is a "highrisk strategy and places the UK at risk of non-compliance with Article 6 (right of access to a court) and Article 13 (right to an effective remedy)".

It continued: "Criminal investigations, prosecutions, and inquests should be permitted to continue, and a more reasonable, longer...

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