Dublin welcomes Council of Europes criticism of UKs Troubles legacy bill – EURACTIV.com

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Dublin has welcomed a decision by the Council of Europe to request details from the UK on how proposed legislation that would grant conditional immunity to those accused of Troubles-era offenses will comply with the European Convention on Human Rights.

The Council of Europe, which includes the European Court of Human Rights, published a decision on Friday (10 June) criticizing the UK on a number of points, including the lack of public consultation involved in the bills creation and the possibility that it will close ongoing inquiries.

The decision also highlights what it describes as shortcomings to British investigations in the 1980s and 1990s into suspected killings by security forces in Northern Ireland.

Noting concerns that have been raised about the legislations compatibility with the European Convention on Human Rights, the Council of Europe will now send the UK a list of questions about the bill to make an assessment.

London will have until 1 August to respond with details of the legislations progress and planned measures to gain confidence and bring stakeholders on board.

The proposal would see those accused of having committed offenses during the Troubles granted immunity from prosecution in exchange for cooperation with a planned Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery. The legislation will also prevent the launch of further inquests and civil suits related to these offences.

Ireland, which recently took over the Council of Europes presidency, said it welcomed the decision and that by introducing the legislation, the UK government has now departed very significantly from the 2014 Stormont House Agreement, a deal reached between the UK, Ireland and the majority of Northern Irish parties intended to address the conflicts legacy.

On Friday, during a visit to Belfast, UK opposition leader Keir Starmer also announced that his party, Labour, would oppose the bill on the grounds that it is not supported by political parties in Northern Ireland, the Irish government or victims groups.

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