A Letter from Ireland
a Chara,
I have two important pieces of work on my desk: the British Government’s new legislation on the legacy of the conflict, and the itinerary for our upcoming trip to New England and Philadelphia. It is a case of looking at the past and to the future.
The “Northern Ireland Troubles Bill” has been introduced by Hilary Benn MP, the British Labour Party Secretary of State, following an agreement with the Irish Government. The Bill as printed stretches to over 116 pages and cross-references other legislation, and will take some time to fully analyse. It must be tested against the needs of victims and survivors and be consistent with international law and agreements, including the European Convention on Human Rights.
This new Bill can be amended at various stages in parliament. It is only at the end of this process that a full analysis can be made. When they were in opposition, the Labour Party committed to “repeal and replace” the previous government’s law, which provided a de facto amnesty for British State Forces, ended the right to inquests and access to the courts for victims and suspended effective investigation into past killings.
One provision has already raised concerns. The former Sinn Féin President, Gerry Adams, is initiating a legal challenge to the Bill’s proposal to retroactively change the law. Gerry Adams was interned without trial for a number of years in the 1970s. The British Supreme Court found that his detention was illegal as it had not been approved by the then British Secretary of State. It is thought that this judgment would impact around 400 former prisoners who were illegally interned.
The new British Government legislation quashes the internees’ convictions but blocks compensation for the years lost in jail.
Dealing effectively with the past, providing information, truth, and justice, is key to acknowledgement and reconciliation. The past impacts families left bereaved and searching for answers. The denials and cover-ups mean the past cannot be resolved.
That is why the British Government must deal with this issue in an open and transparent fashion that is consistent with the rights of victims. Reconciliation is more important than the reputation of past British Governments and their military.
While I am working my way through these new proposals on the past, I have the immediate issue of preparing for the next round of Irish Unity People’s Assemblies with Mairead Farrell TD in Hartford, Boston, and Philadelphia. As well as a stop in New Bedford to mark the 150th Anniversary of the sailing of the Catalpa.
We have now completed Unity Commission hearings in Columbus (Ohio), Cleveland, Chicago, Pearl River (New York), Nashville, San Francisco, Washington, DC, and Cincinnati. As well as Montreal, Toronto, Ottawa and Vancouver.
Common across all commission hearings is a thirst for knowledge and enthusiasm to promote unity. Each city has its own character and brings something new to the table. The Commissions are an opportunity for supporters of Irish Unity to feed their views back to Sinn Féin in Ireland, to learn of the pathway to unity, and to identify their role in building a new and united Ireland.
They are wonderful to witness and partake in. I hope you can attend the upcoming events and look forward to seeing you along the road.
Have a great weekend,
