Troubles victims stage protest against Legacy Act outside NIO in Belfast

Time for Truth demonstrators have gathered outside Erskine House in the city centre on the day that the part of the legislation stopping historical inquests comes into force.

Sinn Fein MP John Finucane is expected to deliver the keynote address.

Campaign spokesperson, Ciarán MacAirt, said the rally has been planned to take place “on the day that the British government has denied us equal access to due process of the law”.

"Britain is a serial human rights abuser but this blatant attack on our basic human rights would embarrass tin-pot dictators in the so-called Third World," he added.

"Our families have been campaigning tirelessly for over six years for the implementation of the Stormont House Agreement and a proper human rights-compliant means for dealing with the legacy of the past. Britain, though, wants to bury its war crimes in Ireland and protect its killers.

"Its Legacy Act is an assault on our basic human rights and an affront to the rule of law. It re-traumatizes victims and survivors across the community."

Activists are demanding “the repeal of the Act of Shame in its entirety”.

"We reject any attempt by the British state to dress up the likes of the so-called Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery as a substitute for a proper, Article 2-compliant pathway to truth and justice,” Mr MacAirt added.

"Join us and show your support for the families and our basic human rights outside the NIO offices in Belfast city centre."

It comes as SDLP leader Colum Eastwood insisted the campaign to provide truth, justice and accountability for victims and survivors “is far from over”.

The Foyle MP vowed to continue to work with the Labour Party at Westminster to have the act repealed and replaced as soon “as the Tories are removed from power”.

“This immoral Tory government’s attempt to shut down routes to justice for victims and their families cannot be allowed to succeed,” Mr Eastwood added.

“My thoughts are with those across the North today who have been left feeling hopeless and despondent that their pursuit of justice has ended.

"My message to them is clear – this is not over. This legislation is an insult to the memory of those who were murdered during the Troubles.

“We will never reckon with our past by closing down the path to truth and justice. This legislation is an outrageous attempt by the British government to cover up the actions of the state and to protect their dirty secrets."

Mr Eastwood said human rights organisations, the Irish Government and all political parties in the NI have been united in their opposition to the legislation.

"And still the British government continued on regardless, without a care for the harm they would cause,” he continued.

“Since this legislation was announced the SDLP has been working with our colleagues at Westminster and in the Labour Party to build a coalition of opposition to this bill.

"We have received assurances that Labour will repeal the legislation if they form the next government and I welcome the public commitment from Shadow Secretary of State Hilary Benn today.

"The election can’t come soon enough for those of us who want to wrench this rotten government from power and begin the work of undoing 14 years of damage to our entire society."

Mr Benn has pledged that a future Labour government would restore legacy inquests and the ability for Troubles victims to bring civil cases.

The shadow Northern Ireland secretary said he would not scrap a new truth recovery body set up to investigate unresolved Troubles deaths, but wanted to see if it could command the confidence of victims’ families.

News Catch Up: Tuesday 30th April 2024