A group of US congressmen have said the British government’s controversial legacy act has “denied justice” to families and communities impacted by the Troubles.
In a letter to newly elected British Prime Minister Keir Starmer twenty-four members of congress offered their support for the Labour Party’s pledge to repeal and replace the contentious act.
The Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023 ended all inquests, civil cases and introduced conditional immunity.
Responsibility for oversight of legacy cases has since transferred to the Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery (ICRIR).
Many victims and families touched by the Troubles are strongly opposed to the ICRIR, believing it is part of British government attempts to shield state participants from accountability.
Legal challenges have been launched against the contentious legislation, including one by the Irish government at the European Court of Human Rights, while a High Court judge has already ruled that conditional immunity and plans to close down some civil actions are unlawful.
Prior to the recent Westminster election the Labour Party manifesto, and new Secretary of State Hilary Benn, pledged to repeal and replace the legacy legislation.
In their recent letter to Mr Starmer 24 congress members said the legacy law “severely undermines the Belfast / Good Friday Agreement”.
“Since its passage in 2023, justice has been denied to families across all communities in Northern Ireland who were impacted by violence during the Troubles,” they wrote.
“The Labour Party’s 2024 General Election manifesto acknowledges this damage and the disservice to victims and their families this law has caused.”
The letter was penned after a meeting between, Mark Thompson of Relatives for Justice, Martin Galvin from of the Ancient Order of Hibernians in the US and Congressman Brendan Boyle in May.
Mr Galvin said: “The Starmer government has an opportunity to open the door to legacy justice by repealing the act and replacing it with legislation that complies with the European Convention on Human Rights and Stormont House Agreement.”
