NI Ministers Condemn Passing Of 'Cynical And Cruel' Legacy Bill

NI Ministers have condemned the passing of the UK government's much criticised Legacy Bill, with the DUP describing it as a 'dark day for innocent victims' and Sinn Féin as 'cynical and cruel'.

The controversial bill passed it's final stage in the House of Commons on Wednesday, 06 September.

DUP Human Rights and Legacy Spokesperson Emma Little-Pengelly, said: ''The Government's decision to railroad through these proposals in the face of unanimous opposition in Northern Ireland was abhorrent.

"Granting immunity to those responsible for some of the most horrific violence and human rights abuses is not only an affront to justice but the latest in a series of bitter blows handed down to innocent victims of terrorism and their families. This Bill plays into the hands of those who want to airbrush the past, by drawing a moral equivalence between terrorists and dedicated public servants in the police and security forces.

"We will continue to stand with victims and will never alter our position that access to justice must always be open. The voice of those who opposed this legislation will not disappear but will continue to be heard. We will seek any opportunity to ensure that truth and justice can be secured."

Sinn Féin MP John Finucane added: "The British Government's flawed and irredeemable Legacy Bill has always only been about one thing – closing the door on families ever getting truth and justice.

"It is absolutely cynical and cruel that the British Government is forcing this bill through despite clear opposition from victims, all the political parties in this island, human rights experts, churches, the US, UN, EU and the Irish Government.

"Sinn Féin will continue to stand with the families in their campaigns for truth and justice, many of them who have been campaigning with dignity and determination for five decades.

"The British government has reneged on an international agreement to implement the legacy mechanisms agreed at Stormont House by the t wo governments and political parties in 2014 in a human rights' compliant manner.

"I am calling on the Irish government to confront this denial of human rights and breach of international human rights law through an interstate case and international action against the British government."