Skip to content
Irish Language Rights|Cearta Teanga don Ghaeilge

Committee on the Administration of Justice
An Coiste um Riarachán Dlí agus Cirt

  • View our YouTube channel
  • View our Twitter account
  • Donate
  • Events
  • Contact
  • About Us
    • History & Purpose
    • Structure & Staff
    • Why Human Rights?
  • Our Work
    • Overview
      • Democratic Governance
      • Policing and Justice
      • Legacy of the Past
      • Confronting Prejudice
      • Immigration
      • Increased Equality
    • Solidarity
      • Equality Coalition
      • Model Bill Team
      • International Solidarity
  • Get Involved
    • How to Get Involved
    • Donate
    • Become a Member
    • Volunteer
  • Publications
    • All Publications
    • Submissions & Briefings
    • Reports
    • Annual Reports
    • Our Newsletter
  • Latest
    • All Updates
    • Press Releases
    • Opinion & Analysis
    • Podcasts & Videos
    • News
    • Events
  • About Us
    • History & Purpose
    • Structure & Staff
    • Why Human Rights?
  • Our Work
    • Overview
      • Democratic Governance
      • Policing and Justice
      • Legacy of the Past
      • Confronting Prejudice
      • Immigration
      • Increased Equality
    • Solidarity
      • Equality Coalition
      • Model Bill Team
      • International Solidarity
  • Get Involved
    • How to Get Involved
    • Donate
    • Become a Member
    • Volunteer
  • Publications
    • All Publications
    • Submissions & Briefings
    • Reports
    • Annual Reports
    • Our Newsletter
  • Latest
    • All Updates
    • Press Releases
    • Opinion & Analysis
    • Podcasts & Videos
    • News
    • Events
  • Donate
  • Events
  • Contact
  • View our YouTube channel
  • View our Twitter account
Cearta Teanga don Ghaeilge
Irish Language Rights
Reports

What could substantive ‘root and branch’ reform of the ICRIR look like? and would it be enough?

Published: November 28, 2024
Policy Area(s):Legacy of the Past
Keywords:Impunity

The Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery (ICRIR), established under the Conservative Government’s Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023, has faced widespread criticism for its lack of independence, the weakness of its ‘review’ function, and failures to comply with the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). Despite Labour’s manifesto commitment to repeal and replace the Legacy Act, since entering government they have stated that they plan to retain the ICRIR and have committed to reforms, with specific reference to its independence. Victims, survivors, and families remain deeply skeptical of this body, however, and support for it remains minimal. The Irish Government, who maintain an inter-State case to the European Court of Human Rights against the Legacy Act, including on the question of ICRIR independence, have called for substantive ‘root and branch’ reform of the ICRIR to ensure compliance with the ECHR and win public trust.

This paper examines what substantive root and branch reform of the ICRIR might look like and whether it would be sufficient to gain public confidence and ensure compatibility with the ECHR and other international human rights standards, including duties to combat impunity. This paper was informed and shaped following a workshop discussion with representatives of CAJ, the Pat Finucane Centre, Amnesty NI, Relatives for Justice and Rights and Security International.

To read the report, click here.

To view the appendix to the report, click here.

Share this:

All publications
FIDH Membership logo Equality Coalition logo
Contact Us

CAJ, Community House
Citylink Business Park
6A Albert Street, Belfast
BT12 4HQ

Company limited by guarantee.
Registration No. NI032591

 

Tel: +44 (0)28 9031 6000

Email: info@caj.org.uk

  • View our YouTube channel
  • View our Twitter account
Our ezine
CAJ publishes a regular ezine, Just Updates, to keep everyone up to date on our work. Register below to receive future issues! If you have previously registered for Just Updates and aren't sure if you are receiving the ezine yet, please check your junk folder for emails from info@caj.org.uk.
© COPYRIGHT 2025. Website by Bag of Bees Studio
Privacy and Cookie Policy.
Hit enter to search or ESC to close