AMNESTY SLAMS GOVERNMENT’S ‘DESPERATE BID TO CLING TO SECRECY’ AS VICTIMS DRAGGED BACK TO SUPREME COURT 

Amnesty International UK / Phoenix Law  

PRESS RELEASE  

3-day Government appeal starts today on parts of the Northern Ireland Legacy Act found to be unlawful  

Government defends sweeping powers to let the Secretary of State block information on “national security” grounds 

Case follows publication of a new Legacy framework between UK and Irish governments and ahead of imminent legislation to replace Legacy Act

Call for an end to ‘political spin’ that claims veterans need ‘protection’ from the law

‘The new legislation expected imminently is the Government’s final opportunity to get this right: to replace failure with fairness, secrecy with truth’ – Grainne Teggart 

Amnesty International has accused the UK Government of making a “desperate bid to cling to secrecy” ahead of a major Supreme Court hearing on the discredited Legacy Act, which begins in London today (14–16 October). 

The hearing will see the Government appeal earlier rulings that found parts of the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act unlawful and in breach of human rights. The focus of the case includes sweeping powers that let the Northern Ireland Secretary of State block the release of information on so-called “national security” grounds, a veto Amnesty says allows the state to “hide the truth from victims.” 

Amnesty International is an official intervener/respondent in the case. 

Grainne Teggart, Amnesty International UK’s Deputy Director for Northern Ireland, said:

“The Court of Appeal judgment should have drawn a clear line under this discredited Legacy Act. Instead, the Government is dragging victims back to court, prolonging their suffering and defending the indefensible.

“It’s deeply disappointing that the Government is persisting with this challenge, clinging to sweeping ‘national security’ powers that allow it to shroud the truth in secrecy. Families have waited far too long, they need answers, not more denial, excuses, and official obstruction.

“We must also end the political spin that claims veterans need ‘protection’ from the law. The only veterans affected are those accused of acting unlawfully, and no one is above the law. Efforts to reinstate impunity disguised as protection only deepen the pain of bereaved families who have already endured decades of delay and denial.

“The new legislation expected imminently is the Government’s final opportunity to get this right: to replace failure with fairness, secrecy with truth, and finally deliver accountability after years of frustration and broken promises. Victims cannot be let down again.”

Martina Dillon, whose husband Seamus Dillon was murdered in 1997, and who is one of the victims named in the challenge, said:

“The Government should not be fighting bereaved families in the courts.

“We’ve already endured years of delay and disappointment. It’s time the Government stopped defending this discredited law and started helping victims get the truth and accountability we’ve been denied for too long. Legislation to repeal and replace the Legacy Act must be urgently introduced to protect our rights.”

Darragh Mackin, Phoenix Law, Solicitor for the victims said: 

“Despite losing in both the High Court and Court of Appeal, we are yet to see legislation being implemented to repeal the unjust and unlawful provisions that remain.  

“The reality is, for these victims, talk is cheap.  Actions speak louder than words and absent any realisable change to this draconian regime, these victims are compelled to continue their fight and defend this appeal before the London Supreme Court.”

A pivotal moment

Introduced by the previous Conservative government despite opposition from all Northern Ireland parties, victims’ groups, the Irish government and international experts, the Legacy Act closed inquests, blocked civil cases and gave the Northern Ireland Secretary of State the power to withhold information from victims and the community. 

Labour has pledged to repeal the Act, with replacement legislation expected to be announced very soon. Amnesty says the new law must fully enable victims’ rights and ensure independent, human rights-compliant investigations. 

The Supreme Court hearing will run from Tuesday 14 to Thursday 16 October, with judgment expected at a later date. 

Notes to Editors 

• The UK Supreme Court will hear the Government’s appeal over three days (14–16 October 2024). 
• The appeal challenges previous Belfast High Court and Court of Appeal rulings that found key provisions of the Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023 breached victims’ rights. 
• The case centres on the Secretary of State’s power to veto the release of information on “national security” grounds, to victims and the community undermining their right to truth. 
• Amnesty International is an intervener/respondent in the case, represented by Phoenix Law, who also represent with victims.
• The Labour Government has committed to repealing the Legacy Act, with new legislation expected to be introduced imminently. 

ENDS