Call comes ahead of PM’s Washington trip this week

Victims say controversial bill will mean they will never see justice and accountability

‘The UK is on the verge of making a profound historic mistake with this legislation’ - Grainne Teggart

Commenting on Rishi Sunak’s forthcoming trip to Washington for talks with Joe Biden, Grainne Teggart, Amnesty International UK’s Northern Ireland Deputy Director, said:

“Now is the time for President Biden to reiterate his administration’s strong support for the Good Friday Agreement and use this meeting to relay US concerns about the Troubles Bill which is a serious violation of the agreement and risks undermining the delicate peace settlement.

“Blocking the victims of Northern Ireland’s conflict from truth, accountability and justice is a significant and cruel betrayal of their rights. 

“The UK is on the verge of making a profound historic mistake with this legislation, and Joe Biden must be frank with Rishi Sunak and urge him to drop this deeply-misconceived bill.” 

Daniel Balson, Amnesty International USA’s Advocacy Director for Europe and Central Asia, said: 

“The White House must use this meeting to call on Prime Minister Sunak to reverse course on the Troubles Bill. Victims of the Northern Ireland conflict deserve access to justice.  

“President Biden should encourage the UK government to pay heed to the overwhelming opposition to the bill and echo calls to abandon it.”

Michael O’Hare, whose 12-year-old sister Majella O’Hare was shot dead by a British Army soldier in 1976 on her way to church and is seeking an independent investigation into the killing, said:

“President Biden should strongly condemn the Troubles Bill and help it to be stopped. It’s an insult to victims’ families and sends a message that the lives of our loved ones didn’t matter. 

“My sister, our family and all victims deserve truth and justice.”

For more on Amnesty’s concerns with the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Bill, go here.