Troubles Bill needs to 'build confidence' among victims
Greater focus needs to be put on building confidence in processes being established by the British government's new legislation to deal with the legacy of the Northern Ireland Troubles, Joe McVey, Commissioner for Victims and Survivors has said.
Joe McVey, the Commissioner for Victims and Survivors, has urged the British government to focus on fostering confidence in the processes outlined by the Northern Ireland Troubles Bill. The bill, which was introduced to Parliament last year, is set to undergo parliamentary debate this week. Members of the Victims and Survivors Forum in Northern Ireland are attending the debate, representing a diverse range of backgrounds and personal experiences related to the Troubles.
The government has proposed 156 amendments to the bill, including one that would allow the UK Attorney General to have the final say on whether Troubles-related prosecutions should proceed. This move is intended to minimize the possibility of duplicate investigations. The Northern Ireland Office claims this approach is based on precedent, particularly in cases of national security.
The legislation seeks to replace the previous Conservative government's Legacy Act, which aimed to bring closure to the conflict and subsequent legal proceedings. According to Chris Bryant, the Northern Ireland Secretary, the law is crucial for families who have lost loved ones during the Troubles to obtain answers. McVey emphasized that victims and survivors have waited a long time for meaningful progress and that independence and impartiality are essential to building trust in the established processes.
He stressed that each investigation, inquest, or information recovery process involves people and families whose lives have been irrevocably altered by the Troubles. McVey highlighted that the forum members attending the debate represent various backgrounds and experiences, including those who have lost loved ones or endured injuries during the conflict.
He emphasized that these decisions are about people and not just processes, and that what Parliament decides will have a profound and lasting impact on victims and their families for generations to come.
McVey called on parliamentarians to hear directly from victims and survivors, understand their diverse experiences, and consider the legislation's implications for them. He reiterated that the bill still has several stages in Parliament and that if its provisions are to assist victims and their families, it must genuinely serve those seeking answers, acknowledgment, accountability, or information. Ultimately, victims and survivors must remain at the forefront of these debates and amendments.
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