Irish government launches legal challenge against UK’s Northern Ireland Legacy Bill

Published

2 years ago

December 20, 2023

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The Irish government is to bring a legal case against the UK under the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR).

The inter-state case is over the UK‘s decision to bring in the Northern Ireland Troubles Legacy Act, deputy premier Micheal Martin has confirmed.

The act became UK law in September 2023. It looks to end legal proceedings relating to the Troubles by granting immunity to people who cooperate with the new Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery (ICRIR).

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On the UK side, the move was welcomed by soldiers and their families, following various historical prosecutions.

But there were warnings it would breach the ECHR as granting amnesties has previously been found by the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) to be incompatible with a country’s obligation to have a way for unnatural deaths and allegations of torture to be investigated.

Complying with the ECHR is part of the Good Friday Agreement.

Mr Martin said the decision was made “after much thought and careful consideration”.

He added: “I have consistently adopted a victims-centred approach to this issue. We are not alone in our concerns.

“Serious reservations about this legislation have also been raised by a number of international observers, including the Council of Europe’s Commissioner for Human Rights and the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.

“Most importantly, this legislation is opposed by people in Northern Ireland, especially the victims and families who will be most directly impacted by this act.

“In particular, we have concerns around provisions which allow for the granting of immunity, and which shut down existing avenues to truth and justice for historic cases, including inquests, police investigations, Police Ombudsman investigations, and civil actions.

“Even in cases in which immunity is not granted,’reviews’ by the proposed body, the Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery are not an adequate substitute for police investigations, carried out independently, adequately, and with sufficient participation of next of kin.”

When the act was passing through parliament, the UK’s Northern Ireland Office said it believed the law was in compliance with the ECHR.

This was due to the immunity being matched with the investigatory power of the ICRIR.

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The UK government stated at the time that “there is some support for the concept of amnesties in ECtHR jurisprudence, which recognises that the use of an amnesty can further the objective of reconciliation”.

According to the House of Commons Library, the act “would create a conditional immunity scheme, providing immunity from prosecution for Troubles-related offences for individuals that cooperate by providing information to the ICRIR.

“Future prosecutions would only be possible where immunity was not granted, following a referral from the ICRIR.

“However, it will not be possible to grant immunity to an individual who has already been convicted, or if a prosecution has already begun against them.”

It would also:

• Prevent non-ICRIR investigations into events from the Troubles;

• Prevent Troubles-era prosecutions not involving death or serious injury;

• Stop civil claims related to Troubles-era conduct;

• Stop non-advanced inquests continuing and any new inquests starting;

• Start a programme of memorialisation of the Troubles.

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Colum Eastwood, the leader of the nationalist SDLP, welcomed the move from the Irish government, saying: “No political party or institution on this island supports the British Government’s approach to addressing the legacy of the past.”

More than 3,500 people were killed during the Troubles, including over 1,000 members of the security forces.

Politics

UK restores diplomatic ties with Syria

Published

49 mins ago

July 6, 2025

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The UK has re-established diplomatic ties with Syria, David Lammy has said, as he made the first visit to the country by a British minister for 14 years.

The foreign secretary visited Damascus and met with interim president Ahmed al Sharaa, also the leader of the rebel group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), and foreign minister Asaad al Shaibani.

It marks the latest diplomatic move since Bashar al Assad’s regime was toppled by rebel groups led by HTS in December.

In a statement, Mr Lammy said a “stable Syria is in the UK’s interests” and added: “I’ve seen first-hand the remarkable progress Syrians have made in rebuilding their lives and their country.

“After over a decade of conflict, there is renewed hope for the Syrian people.

“The UK is re-establishing diplomatic relations because it is in our interests to support the new government to deliver their commitment to build a stable, more secure and prosperous future for all Syrians.”

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office has also announced a £94.5m support package for urgent humanitarian aid and to support the country’s long-term recovery, after a number of British sanctions against the country were lifted in April.

While HTS is still classified as a proscribed terror group, Sir Keir Starmer said last year that it could be removed from the list.

The Syrian president’s office also said on Saturday that the president and Mr Lammy discussed co-operation, as well as the latest developments in the Middle East.

Since Assad fled Syria in December, a transitional government headed by Mr al Sharaa was announced in March and a number of western countries have restored ties.

In May, US President Donald Trump said the United States would lift long-standing sanctions on Syria and normalise relations during a speech at the US-Saudi investment conference.

He said he wanted to give the country “a chance at peace” and added: “There is a new government that will hopefully succeed.

“I say good luck, Syria. Show us something special.”

Politics

Secret Service seizes $400M in crypto, cold wallet among world’s largest

Published

3 hours ago

July 6, 2025

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Secret Service seizes 0M in crypto, cold wallet among world’s largest

Secret Service quietly amasses one of the world’s largest crypto cold wallets with $400 million seized, exposing scams through blockchain sleuthing and VPN missteps.