Amnesty welcomes repeal of unlawful amnesty and restoration of civil actions but warns Government still clinging to secrecy powers
Amnesty International UK has welcomed the publication of the UK Government’s Remedial Order and new Legacy legislation, describing them as “a long-overdue step towards correcting historic wrongs”, but warned that retaining powers to block disclosure on so-called national security grounds risks undermining the promised “new start”.
The legislation and remedial order, published late yesterday while the Government’s Supreme Court appeal over legacy powers continues, includes the repeal of the unlawful Troubles amnesty scheme and restores civil actions. It also establishes a new judge-led Legacy Commission.
Gráinne Teggart, Deputy Director for Northern Ireland at Amnesty International UK, said:
“This legislation rights some historic wrongs by scrapping unlawful impunity for perpetrators and ending the ban on civil actions. Inquests and the new legacy commission will require careful consideration.
“But it cannot be the fresh start victims deserve if the Government insists on keeping a national security veto that conceals state wrongdoing. That power is disproportionate, unacceptable, and has already been found incompatible with human rights by the Northern Ireland courts.
“Families have been failed for decades by secrecy, obstruction, and denial. If the Government is serious about turning a page, it must stop defending old mistakes and finally put truth and victims first.
“The right to truth cannot be subject to a ministerial veto. State agents and their handlers are not above the law. The Government should prioritise victims and focus on delivering genuine accountability.
“The retention of a security veto – which has both the intention and effect of denying families answers – will fatally damage confidence in the new Legacy Commission before it even begins.”
Amnesty’s key tests for the legislation
- Full compliance with the European Convention on Human Rights
- No retention of the Secretary of State’s power to veto disclosure
- Independent and transparent access to all relevant information
- Restoration and expansion of inquest rights and civil actions
- Independent appointments and adequate resourcing for the Legacy Commission
- Equal rights and protections for all victims, with no political interference
Supreme Court hearing: 14–16 October
Even as new legislation is published, the Government continues to defend secrecy powers before the Supreme Court. Amnesty said this “sends the worst possible message to victims – that the state is still fighting to keep the truth hidden.”
