Northern Ireland

State ‘could take case to European court’ over British proposal for Troubles crimes amnesty

New research finds the British government’s proposed bill would breach the European Convention on Human Rights

Bereaved families from the North travelled to London last week to protest outside Downing Street about proposed legislation offering immunity to all killings during the Troubles. Picture: Andy Rain/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

The Irish government could pursue an inter-state case at the European Court of Human Rights if the British government proceeds with its amnesty proposals for crimes committed during the Troubles, according to a leading legal academic in Belfast.

Kieran McEvoy, professor of law and transitional justice at Queen’s University Belfast, was speaking to the Business Post following the publication of his co-authored paper on the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Bill, which was introduced ...