Rights Watch (UK) agrees with Lady Hallett’s conclusions that the ‘On the Runs’ administrative scheme was unprecedented and flawed. It was flawed both in its inaccurate implementation and in its lack of attention to the rights of the victims of the Northern Ireland conflict.
Yasmine Ahmed, Director of Rights Watch UK states:
“Lady Hallett’s report highlights that the on the run scheme failed to operate with the necessary transparency, and checks and balances. Errors were not rectified and the flawed scheme continued with no external review to identify these issues. There was no overall policy, no overall responsibility and no overall accountability. It is vital that any scheme that can have such a significant impact on access to justice for victims of the conflict in Northern Ireland is transparent, independent, effective and well regulated. Those affected and civil society in general should be made aware and engaged in discussion of such a scheme.
We welcome the undertaking made by the Secretary of State of Northern Ireland that the Government will investigate what steps need to be taken to ensure that the ‘On the Run’ letters do not create an amnesty. Such a conclusion would risk undermining the right to justice of the victims. No amnesty should be reached without a consensus on the part of all those affected by the Northern Ireland conflict.”
ENDS
For further information contact info@rightsandsecurity.org
Check out other news of interest
