- MPs asked to approve removal of flawed legacy legislation
introduced by the previous Government.
- The Remedial Order will remove immunity provisions which
would have given amnesty to terrorists, and restored legal rights
of victims and survivors.
- Comes alongside six workable protections to ensure veterans
are treated fairly.
The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, , will today ask MPs to support
the removal of aspects of the controversial law that would have
given immunity to terrorists for Troubles-related
killings.
Today's debate in the House of Commons marks an important step in
the Government's commitment to replacing the previous
Government's Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and
Reconciliation) Act.
The Remedial Order seeks to address two issues where the Act was
found to be in breach of human rights law: the uncommenced
conditional immunity scheme and the bar on new civil claims.
These were undeliverable promises made by the previous government
to veterans that have led only to legal uncertainty and
inadequate protections.
We believe those who served our country must be treated with the
respect and dignity they deserve, as part of its wider legacy
package, the government is - through the Troubles Bill -
also putting in place six safeguards for former service personnel
Because there can be no equivalence between those who served to
protect life and the terrorist organisations which set out to
kill people, and which were responsible for 90% of
Troubles-related deaths.
Speaking ahead of the debate, the Secretary of State for
Northern Ireland, said:
Today, I am asking the House to endorse a Remedial Order to
remove indefensible and legally defective provisions contained in
the previous Government's Legacy Act.
This Remedial Order is essential to rebuild the trust of
communities across Northern Ireland who are opposed to the idea
that the terrorists who murdered their loved ones could be
granted immunity from prosecution if they came forward to the
Commission. It also restores the historic right of citizens of
this country to seek redress through the courts.
Key measures in today's Remedial Order include:
-
Removing immunity: Formally removing the provisions from the
statute book that allowed for the granting of immunity from
prosecution.
-
The restoration of civil cases: Reinstating the right of UK
citizens to pursue Troubles-related civil cases - a path
previously blocked by the Legacy Act.
-
Legal certainty: Working towards providing a clear,
rule-of-law-based framework for both families and veterans,
ending the uncertainty caused by recent court challenges.
Alongside the Remedial Order, the Government is implementing new
protections for Northern Ireland veterans, including:
- Protection from repeated investigations;
- The right to stay at home;
- The right to seek anonymity;
- Protection in old age;
- Protection from cold calling or unexpected letters; and
- The right to be heard.
*David Crabbe OBE, President of Decorum NI,
said:
The issues of the legacy of the past must be dealt with now and
thus not condemn future generations to persistent
uncertainty.
Veterans should not be used as political pawns. Veterans are real
people and citizens in our society with the same hopes, fears and
aspirations as anyone else. They are also victims and survivors
and need to be recognised as such.
Victims and survivors carry their burden with dignity and should
be allowed to obtain the greatest possible resolution to the
questions they have and the answers they need. They will never
really have ‘closure' as such but their burden can be lightened
with answers that lead to truth, acknowledgement and
accountability.
This Government is determined to ensure protections are as fair
and effective as possible, recognising the role that service
personnel played in keeping people across the UK safe during the
Troubles.
The debate in the House of Commons is the first stage in a wider
process to restore the Northern Ireland legacy framework to one
that respects the Good Friday Agreement and the rights of all
citizens to seek truth and accountability.
ENDS
Notes to editors:
- *David Crabbe OBE, is the President Decorum NI - a victims
and survivors group which caters for the welfare and advocacy
needs of those who served under Operation BANNER (1969 – 2007).
David is a former soldier who served for 30 years in the Ulster
Defence Regiment and the Royal Irish Regiment during the
Troubles.
