AN international delegation of lawyers say they believe the British government's Legacy Bill "should be withdrawn from the Westminster legislative process".
A report by the European Association of Lawyers for Democracy and World Human Rights (ELDH) also claims there have been "multiple breaches of human rights and international law" by the UK government in Northern Ireland ahead of the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement.
Their findings come after a delegation of lawyers from Europe, South Africa and America visited Northern Ireland last year to talk to human rights organisations, victims’ groups and trade unions.
They said they wanted to hear concerns regarding the state of the peace process and human rights in the north ahead of the anniversary.
In their report, the lawyers said they believe "there is an attempt by the present UK government to unilaterally dismantle the human rights framework" of the agreement and there has been a "failure to safeguard and implement human rights commitments from the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement, and in accordance with international law".
They added: “When the delegation compares the Human Rights Agreement 1998 to its constitutionally aligned and entrenched equivalent in Ireland, the European Convention on Human Rights Act 2003, this suggests that ultimately human rights in NI would be better protected in a reunified Ireland, albeit this is a matter for the people of Ireland under the Belfast/GFA".
The lawyers also suggest the UK government's Legacy Bill "should be withdrawn from the Westminster legislative process" and the Irish government "should commit to making an inter-state case in the European Court of Human Rights against the UK government’s Legacy Bill if it becomes law".
Thomas Schmidt, ELDH co-secretary general said: “The delegation was disturbed to hear evidence about the regression of human rights standards in Northern Ireland.
"We are aware that the 25th anniversary of the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement will occur next month.
"Now is the time for the UK government to urgently commit to realising human rights in Northern Ireland.”
The UK government has said the Legacy Bill aims to deliver better outcomes for those most impacted by the Troubles, including victims, survivors and veterans.
But the proposed legislation has proven to be deeply unpopular since it was first unveiled, drawing opposition from all of the major political parties in the north, the Irish government and victims' groups.
The draft legislation had proposed a new approach to dealing with the legacy of the conflict in the region, with more focus on truth recovery rather than criminal justice outcomes.
Responding to the report, Sinn Féin MP John Finucane said: “Leading international lawyers from across Europe, the US and South Africa have become the latest people to hit out at the flawed Legacy Bill and call for its abandonment.
“The Legacy Bill is unworkable and does not enjoy the support of victims and survivors, the Irish government, human rights experts and none of the political parties on this island.
“Ultimately, it is in breach of the Good Friday Agreement, and it is incompatible with international human rights obligations."
He added: "This Bill should be scrapped without delay".
