"Promising to provide "routes to truth and accountability", the agreement proceeds a previous unilateral step by Westminster two years ago to enact the Legacy Act which the Irish Government opposed. The Government argued that the act served to limit inquests and civil claims arising from victims of the violence which hampered any meaningful progress towards achieving justice. It also argued that the Legacy Act was a contravention of Britain's obligations under the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR)."
"The Joint Framework provides for sweeping reforms of the mechanisms designed to address the legacy of the Troubles in Northern Ireland, and across this island. Agreement on the framework represents a welcome return to a partnership approach on Northern Ireland by the two governments. As co-guarantors of the Good Friday Agreement, that partnership is essential to progress peace and reconciliation on this island."
The framework was unveiled by the Irish Tánaiste and the British Secretary of State for Northern Ireland following months of negotiations. It promises routes to truth and accountability and follows Westminster's Legacy Act enacted two years ago, which the Irish Government opposed. The Government argued the act limited inquests and civil claims and contravened Britain's obligations under the ECHR, prompting Ireland to take a case against the UK. The agreement is presented as a return to a partnership approach as co-guarantors of the Good Friday Agreement and will lift civil-case prohibitions, restore halted inquests, enable Legacy Commission investigations that could lead to prosecutions, and reform sensitive-information disclosure by removing the Secretary of State's guidance power.
Read at Irish Independent
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