The tensions between Ireland and the UK were brought to the fore once again, as Ireland’s opposition to the UK’s controversial legacy bill was made “very clear” to the UK’s Minister of State for Northern Ireland, Chris Heaton-Harris. The proposed legislation aims to provide amnesty to British soldiers and security forces involved in killings during the Troubles, a move that has been strongly opposed by the Irish government and victims’ families. In this article, we delve into the reasons behind Ireland’s opposition to the legacy bill and what it could mean for the future of the peace process in Northern Ireland.
Tánaiste Micheál Martin has reiterated Ireland’s opposition to the UK’s legacy Bill, calling on Westminster to halt the legislation’s progress. The Bill has been widely opposed since it was proposed, as it offers immunity for people accused of crimes during the Troubles in Northern Ireland, as long as they cooperate with a new truth recovery body, and halts future court processes. Amnesty International led a delegation of Troubles victims and families to meet Mr Martin in Belfast to discuss concerns over the Bill. The Irish Government is urging the UK government to pause progress of the Bill and re-engage with Northern Ireland’s political parties and victims’ groups.
The Good Friday Agreement is the anchor for what underpins the two governments working together with all of the political parties in Northern Ireland. However, there has been a unilateral approach to legacy, which is of concern to the Irish Government. Human rights compliance and fulfilling the European Convention of Human Rights is essential in anything that happens in respect of legacy, according to Mr Martin.
Grainne Teggart, Amnesty UK’s Northern Ireland deputy director, has called on Ireland to take an inter-state challenge to the European Court of Human Rights if the Bill becomes law. The delegation, which included Eugene Reavey, Eugene Oliver, Gerald McAnespie, and lawyer Darragh Mackin, has warned that the UK is not paying heed to the opposition to the Bill. For the victims, many of whom have been fighting through the courts for decades for a measure of truth, justice, and accountability, which the Bill might permanently deny, it is crucial that the Irish Government take this course of action.
The Irish Government has a critical role to play, Ms Teggart said. They can lodge a case within four months of the Bill becoming law and can expedite the process. It is very clear that the UK Government is not listening to the victims. Therefore, it is all the more vital that the Irish Government listens and takes action. The delegation was reasonably satisfied by the responses received from the Tánaiste and his team.
Mr Reavey noted that the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement left victims to one side, and it is time that they had some sort of closure. Mr Oliver commented that he wants to see the Irish Government put its foot down and not let the Bill go through. The Irish Government’s opposition to the Bill is consistent and clear, as evidenced by Mr Martin’s calls for the UK government to halt its progress. Continous engagement is necessary to ensure that anything that happens in respect of legacy is human-rights compliant and fulfills the European Convention of Human Rights.
