Secretary Hilary Benn of Northern Ireland has started consulting with victims and survivors as the UK government begins the process of repealing the controversial Legacy Act. Despite opposition from victims’ groups and political parties in Northern Ireland, the legislation provided an amnesty to killers who cooperated with a truth recovery process, a clause which was later struck out by a Belfast judge.
The Legacy Act shut down access to criminal and civil courts for new cases related to the Troubles, halting inquests as well. Critics argued that the true purpose of the legislation was to prevent criminal cases against former British servicemen for Troubles-related killings. The Labour government is committed to repealing the legislation and allowing new civil cases and inquests to proceed.
Secretary Benn reaffirmed the importance of victims’ voices in the government’s approach to legacy during meetings with the Victims and Survivors Forum and the South East Fermanagh Foundation. The Labour government recently withdrew an appeal against the striking out of the amnesty clause in the legislation, signaling a step towards justice for victims of the Troubles.
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