Ireland Takes UK to Court Over 'Troubles' Amnesty Law

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Facts

  • Ireland announced legal action against the UK government on Wednesday in response to the controversial 'Troubles' amnesty law that gives legal immunity to combatants in the decades-long Northern Ireland conflict.1
  • According to Irish Taoiseach [Prime Minister] Leo Varadkar, the government would pursue a judicial review of the 'Troubles (legacy and reconciliation) bill' in the European Court of Human Rights, arguing it breached the convention on human rights.2
  • The Irish government, Northern Irish political parties, and families of victims killed during the conflict oppose the legislation, while groups representing British veterans from the period have expressed support for amnesty.1
  • The law, passed in September, offers legal immunity to British soldiers and former Irish paramilitaries cooperating with a newly created Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery. It also prevents future civil lawsuits and legacy inquests.3
  • The Troubles conflict in Northern Ireland reportedly cost the lives of more than 3.5K people between the late 1960s and 1998.4
  • Nearly 1.2K deaths from the period remain under investigation, while the UK government's legislation is currently being contested by victims' families in the Northern Ireland courts.5

Sources: 1France 24, 2Guardian, 3Dw.com, 4World101 and 5Al Jazeera.

Narratives

  • Narrative A, as provided by Al Jazeera. The British government is robbing families of their ability to obtain justice. Thousands of people were murdered and 'disappeared' during The Troubles, and these families deserve the option to have their day in court. Perpetrators shouldn't be shielded from being held accountable for the serious human rights abuses they committed.
  • Narrative B, as provided by The irish times. The Legacy and Reconciliation Bill is the best way to provide justice and move forward. Prosecutions for Troubles' era crimes have been largely ineffective, but through a new truth and reconciliation commission, families can receive more information, accountability, and acknowledgment. This legislation is far from perfect, but the conflict is over, and it's time to move forward.

Predictions