Democratic Unionist Party
91 Dundela Avenue
Belfast
BT4 3BU
19 June 2023
The Rt Hon Rishi Sunak MP Prime Minister 10 Downing Street LondonSW1A 2AA
Dear
Prime MinisterIt is the victims and survivors of the Northern Ireland Troubles who have suffered the most. Many still live with the terrible legacy of pain, trauma and loss. Many feel that they are the forgotten ones, their needs and issues were not sufficiently addressed in the Belfast Agreement. The majority have never received justice.
It is our shared, fundamental duty to support victims and survivors, and to help them in whatever way we can. That is why we remain deeply concerned about the hurt, further trauma and impact on victims and survivors of your proposed Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Bill.
We are writing to reiterate our total and unequivocal opposition to the Bill and to ask that you, even at this advanced stage in the legislative process, withdraw these proposals.
The Democratic Unionist Party believes any outcome which closes down legal routes for victims of Troubles-related offences would cause irreparable harm to the foundations of the criminal justice system in the United Kingdom and its standing throughout the world. Fundamentally, there should be no amnesty for anyone who perpetrated wrongdoing during the Troubles. Everyone should be equal under the law and equally subject to the law.
In July 2021, the DUP joined with parties right across the political spectrum in a special sitting of the Northern Ireland Assembly to reject the prospect of immunity for perpetrators as enshrined in the Command Paper published by the then Secretary of State for Northern Ireland. Our position remains unchanged. Over the course of the last two years, victims, survivors and their families have led the way in voicing deep opposition to the current Bill. Their dignity and perseverance in the face of deep personal loss has been widely admired and should be an example to us all.
Consequently, by advancing this legislation, the Government is acting against the express wishes of communities across Northern Ireland and the interests of innocent victims from a range of backgrounds. In the face of almost universal opposition by those persons who stand to be directly affected by the proposals, it remains the case that the Bill is inoperable as a model for addressing the legacy of the past and promoting truth and reconciliation.
We recognise that Ministers intend to move a series of amendments at Report Stage in the Lords and DUP Parliamentarians will continue to engage constructively to mitigate the worst effects of the Bill. However, this should not be misconstrued as providing tacit consent to a regime that rewards wrongdoing and undermines confidence in the rule of law.
We have attached a more detailed outline of our main concerns for your consideration. You will be aware that we have raised these with the Secretary of State and in the House of Commons and Lords. We also request an urgent meeting with you to discuss these issues ahead of the commencement of Report Stage in the House of Lords, currently scheduled for 21 June.
It is our collective hope that your response acknowledges both the scale of concern expressed by local communities in response to this Bill and its potential ramifications for victims, survivors and their families, not only in Northern Ireland but further afield.
To this end, we trust you will give these matters the due attention they deserve and demand and look forward to hearing from you.
Yours sincerely
Sir Jeffrey Donaldson MP
Gavin Robinson MP Party Leader Deputy Leader
Emma Little-Pengelly MLA BL
The Rt Hon Lord Dodds of Duncairn OBE DUP Assembly Spokesperson Legacy & Human Rights
cc: The Rt Hon Chris Heaton-Harris MP, Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
