‘Unilateral legacy investigations’ into terrorism called for

The Northern Ireland victims’ commissioner has pointed out that planned changes to legacy investigations will potentially close thousands of historic investigations permanently.

Judith Thompson and the Commission for Victims and Survivors Forum have urged politicians to consider the impact of legacy legislation upon victims and survivors in an open letter, following their Northern Ireland Affairs Committee appearance.

They argue that the continued silence from the government on details of proposed legacy legislation is unacceptable to victims and survivors in Northern Ireland and across Great Britain.

The letter explains that, while the Stormont House Agreement Institutions were not perfect and would have benefited from a codesign for implementation, the arbitrary and sparsely detailed new proposals do not have the confidence of those they are meant to serve. It calls on them as political representatives to recognise that this legislation would impact on victims and survivors throughout the UK and was not simply a Westminster solution to a Northern Ireland problem.

Furthermore, addressing the issue that the proposed changes to Legacy investigations will potentially close thousands of investigations permanently, including the deaths of police officers and soldiers as well as people from all constituencies, is not going to deliver what is intended and is certainly not going to deliver what victims and survivors want.

Thompson said: “The purpose of our open letter directly to all MPs and regional parliamentary representatives is to demonstrate to them that changing approaches to how we address the legacy of our past without full victim consultation is unacceptable.  Processes can only work if there is consultation, engagement and momentum. It is essential that all political representatives are fully engaged with victims and survivors in their communities if we are to ensure that we finally address the past and move forward to build a better future.”