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ICRIR CHIEF COMMISSIONER COMMITS TO HUMAN RIGHTS LAWS

Published:

Committing to Human Rights laws and the rights of victims and families was the key message Chief Commissioner of the Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery Sir Declan Morgan delivered to the Council of Europe in Strasbourg on Thursday.

Sir Declan presented to member State delegations, and held positive discussions with the Commissioner for Human Rights Michael O’Flaherty, and senior officials at the Department for the Execution of Judgments in Strasbourg as well as the Director General of Human Rights and Rule of Law Christos Giakoumopoulos, on the steps the Commission has taken to ensure it adheres to Articles 2 and 3 of the European Convention of Human Rights and the Belfast Good Friday Agreement.

He also outlined details on the Enhanced Inquisitorial Proceedings which enables the Commission to complete investigations into Troubles/ Conflict era deaths previously subject to Advanced stage inquests

Sir Declan Morgan said:

“Our commitment to human rights is paramount and is about so much more than just lip service, but through presenting our proposals for scrutiny, obtaining feedback and listening to it, we can improve our approach to delivering answers for all those who request that we conduct an investigation.

“Our ongoing dialogue with Strasbourg and the UN, is important to demonstrate our commitment to human rights and to obtain the trust of the victims and families who experienced such trauma during the Troubles/Conflict.”

Director General of Human Rights and Rule of Law, Christos Giakoumopoulos, said:

“From several meetings with the ICRIR, it is clear that intensive efforts are being made to ensure the Commission’s work is Articles 2 and 3 compliant.”

In February, the High Court in Belfast held that the Commission had the necessary structural independence, and its proposals gave it the means to carry out effective investigations, in order to discharge obligations under Articles 2 and 3 of the European Convention on Human Rights.

Over the last year ICRIR has published a variety policy papers and proposals on its website and put in place a Code of Conduct, policies for robust governance, declaration and management of outside interests, and complaints handling. Consultations on Operational Design, a Trauma and Resiliency Informed Model, an Equality Scheme and a Disability Action plan have also taken place, and the ICRIR will publish its responses in due course.

Notes to Editors 

  • The following dedicated telephone line, operated by trained staff, and other contact routes is now available for all those who wish to request an investigation:
  • Telephone lines are open between 10:00 and 16:00, Monday to Friday (apart from public holidays).
     
  • On 22 April 2024, the Commission published its annual workplan that sets out budgets and deliverable outputs for the Financial Year 2024/25. More information can be found on the Documents section of our website.

  • On 25 April 2024, the Commission set out Enhanced Inquisitorial Proceedings which will continue investigations into the deaths resulting from the Troubles/Conflict in Northern Ireland, which were subject to Advanced stage Inquests and not able to conclude before 1 May. More information can be found here: ICRIR sets out Enhanced Inquisitorial Proceedings and transitional measures for completing inquests at advanced stage – Independent Commission for Reconciliation & Information Recovery
  • The full briefing that Sir Declan presented in Strasbourg is provided here:
  • ICRIR’s previous briefing provided to the United Nations Commissioner for Human Rights is provided here:
  • The ICRIR’s previous briefing provided to the Council of Europe in Strasbourg is provided here.

  • The Commission has run a variety of public consultation exercises to ensure people have the chance to input to its operational processes. Details of those consultations are provided on the the Commission’s website, and the results will be published in due course.

  • Anyone who would like to get involved in the Commission’s work to define its processes and principles can also email us at our Contact page to be added to our mailing list for updates.