The Irish government’s decision to challenge the Tories’ iniquitous Troubles legacy legislation at the European Court of Human Rights is an important and welcome development.
It represents a significant and practical stepping up of opposition to the British government’s cynically conceived approach to victims and survivors.
In a feeble attempt to defend the indefensible, secretary of state Chris Heaton-Harris and NIO minister Lord Jonathan Caine have complained that the Irish case is poorly timed, unnecessary and a matter of profound regret.
- UK Government ‘profoundly regrets’ legal action by Irish against Legacy ActOpens in new window
- Donaldson accuses Irish Government of double standards over legacy challengeOpens in new window
- Scrapping of Police Ombudsman investigations means Troubles victims have been failed againOpens in new window
- Truth recovery body 'potentially more effective than Troubles-era inquests' High Court hearsOpens in new window
- Sean Brown inquest delays are entirely unjustified and point to the weakness of new Troubles legacy structuresOpens in new window
Nonsense of this sort has typified every miserable step of this British government’s determination to ignore victims’ wishes and the fact that the north’s political parties are united in their rejection of the new Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery structures.
As well as the ECHR challenge, a High Court case against the legislation, taken by victims and survivors, is already underway in Belfast. The Labour party has also made a commitment to repeal the Act if it comes into power.
It means the ICRIR, due to come fully into effect from May, could be short-lived. That will be the fervent hope of the victims and survivors of the Troubles, who have been repeatedly failed by the state.
