UHRW seeks to be third party in Legacy case in Strasbourg

Ulster Human Rights Watch (UHRW) is to seek to become a third party in the European Court of Human Rights case being brought by the Republic of Ireland against the UK Government over the Legacy and Reconciliation Act.

UHRW Advocacy Manager, Axel Schmidt, said: “We are on record as saying that the action by Dublin is absolute hypocrisy. The Republic of Ireland was the safe haven from where the PIRA mounted countless acts of terrorism against innocent people in Northern Ireland.

“Terrorists acted with apparent impunity. They could come and go as they pleased, it seemed, without fear of apprehension by the Gardai or prosecution. There’s much that is wrong with the Legacy and Reconciliation Act, but for the Republic of Ireland to mount a case at the European Court of Human Rights is extreme arrogance.

“Dublin should do a little soul-searching before rushing to condemn and challenge the United Kingdom. We want to make sure that the Republic of Ireland is held to account which is why we are seeking to be invited as a third party in any proceedings. In this, we are as one with the UK Government which has already expressed its disappointment over the Dublin Government’s decision.

“Ulster Human Rights Watch deals with a number of cases where it’s clear the inaction, indifference and carelessness of the Republic of Ireland Government, in effect, aided and abetted terrorism. They need to be called out for that and have their own track record held up to critical scrutiny in order to provide remedies to address the legacy of the past in their own jurisdiction.

“While we have serious issues with the Legacy and Reconciliation Act here, it is interesting to note the Republic of Ireland have no structures whatsoever to deal with legacy. Why is this? If the Republic wishes to help victims surely, after all these years, they should at least have some proposals.

“We have communicated our views to the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.”

UHRW Response to Secretary of State – ‘There was an Alternative’

It is with some surprise that the Ulster Human Rights Watch heard the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland say ‘no-one has presented him with an alternative to the Government’s Legacy Bill.’

Since 2017 UHRW has committed to taking part in all public consultations on the UK Government’s proposals to deal with the legacy of the past.

UHRW Advocacy Manager, Axel Schmidt, stated: ‘On each occasion our organisation submitted proposals for an alternative. In 2018 UHRW opposed the Stormont House Agreement proposals and submitted detailed proposals for an alternative. These proposals were based on fundamental principles and a definition of victim of crime that were in compliance with Northern Ireland legislation and the European Convention on Human Rights.’

‘It is the sad reality that despite all the representations made, the UK Government has chosen not to take into account balanced proposals that were human rights compliant.’

‘Since September 2022, when dealing with the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Bill, UHRW have submitted 13 proposed amendments and 2 recommendations in order to make the legislation human rights compliant. Some of these proposals may have influenced minor amendments that were introduced in the House of Lords. However, the Secretary of State has not upheld them in the House of Commons.

Axel Schmidt added: ‘It is therefore not accurate for the Secretary of State to say that no-one presented him with an alternative. There was an alternative, which was to support legislation that upheld human rights in a democratic society, while opposing terrorism and preventing the history of the Troubles from being re-written.’

‘It is regrettable, that the Secretary of State deliberately decided not to use the alternative and it is likely that the legality of the Legacy Bill, once given the Royal Assent, will need to be challenged in Court in the non-too-distant future.’

Administrator Recruitment – Closing Date 29 September 2023

Ulster Human Rights Watch wishes to recruit an experienced part-time Administrator to support its Advocacy Service for innocent victims of terrorism. Role will be based in Brownlow House, Lurgan.

Salary: £14,645.33 pa

Hours per week: 20

As a charitable company formed in 2002 and a major human rights organisation in Northern Ireland, Ulster Human Rights Watch seeks to promote human rights and the Judeo-Christian interpretation of such rights, advance education in human rights, and support the enforcement of the law. The UHRW Advocacy Service provides assistance to families who have unresolved historical cases from the Troubles and wish to obtain information or request further investigation.

The Administrator will be required to provide clerical, marketing and financial administrative support to the Ulster Human Rights Watch Advocacy Service. This will include monthly financial and non-financial monitoring returns, procurement, payments, and clerical oversight of the client database.

To apply please download the following:

Candidate Information Booklet

Application Form

Equality Monitoring Form

Closing date: Friday 29 September 2023

Search the site