Responding to news that the UK and Irish governments are close to an agreement on a legacy framework, Grainne Teggart, Amnesty International UK’s Northern Ireland Deputy Director, said

“The Legacy Act was a disgraceful betrayal of victims and an affront to human rights and the rule of law.

“There must be no further failures on legacy. Any agreement and new legislation must finally ensure that victims’ rights are respected, protected and upheld.

“We will examine the detail of any agreement carefully - but what’s already clear is that full compliance of human rights standards, and mechanisms that have the confidence and involvement of victims, are absolutely essential.

“Key areas including national security vetoes over legacy cases and inquests must be addressed.

“The culture of impunity, secrecy and denial of truth that has long surrounded legacy issues must end.”