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The Irish government is taking legal action against the UK over a controversial law that halts new investigations into crimes committed during the decades-long conflict in Northern Ireland and potentially grants immunity to perpetrators.

Irish Taoiseach (prime minister) Leo Varadkar announced the move on Wednesday, saying that the inter-state case will be taken to the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg, France.

The case concerns the controversial Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act, which came into force in the UK in September. The legislation covers crimes committed during the violent conflict in Northern Ireland between 1966 and 1998, known as ‘The Troubles’.

Under the law, all such cases will be investigated by the government-appointed Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery (ICRIR) instead of the police. Perpetrators can be granted immunity if they agree to give testimony.

The Irish government has “concerns” that some provisions of the act “will shut down existing avenues to truth and justice for historic cases, including inquests, police investigations, police ombudsman investigations and civil actions,” Deputy Prime Minister Micheal Martin said on Wednesday.

He also stated that the legislation is opposed by many in Northern Ireland, “especially the victims and families who will be most directly impacted.”

“The British government removed the political option and left us only this legal avenue,” Martin added, insisting that he had used “every opportunity” to get the UK to pause the legislation.

British Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Chris Heaton-Harris said the UK government “profoundly regrets” Dublin’s decision and called the legal case “unnecessary.” He insisted the Legacy Act is designed “to enable more victims and survivors to obtain more information faster than can be achieved under current legacy mechanisms.”

The Troubles Legacy Act has been “overwhelmingly rejected” by a range of human rights groups as well as victims of the Northern Ireland conflict, Amnesty International stated on Wednesday. The organization’s UK deputy director for Northern Ireland, Grainne Teggart, said it welcomed Dublin’s decision. It claimed that the UK had “doggedly pursued” the legislation, which “shields perpetrators of serious human rights violations from being held accountable.”

The Troubles was a violent conflict in Northern Ireland between mostly Protestant unionists, who wanted to remain part of the UK, and mostly Roman Catholic nationalists, who wanted to reunite the state with the Republic of Ireland. The conflict featured multiple cases of British state collusion with terrorists and the imprisonment of innocent men, women and children at the hands of the UK justice system.

More than 3,600 people were killed and between 30,000 and 50,000 injured, according to various estimates.

(KPL) Party Secretary General and State President Thongloun Sisoulith on Dec 30 delivered a speech extending wishes to all Lao people on the occasion of international New Year 2023.

My countrymen, year 2022 witnessed us facing a number of difficulties and challenges, including the impacts of Covid-19 pandemic and severe economic and financial difficulties. However, with the unity of the entire Party, state and the entire Lao people as well as the support and assistance from friendly countries, we have made to addressed the problems basically, saving the country from falling into a severe crisis, allowing the country to enjoy strong political stability, society to enjoy peace, economy to enjoy a gradual and constant recovery. These have laid fundamental basis for our country’s economy to grow over years to come.

As for the year 2023, we will continue to overcome such challenges and obstacles. Therefore, I call on all the Lao people, both in the country and abroad to focus all mental and physical efforts and courage on achieving our cause of national protection and development as planned, leading our country to a new step of development, with people enjoying peacefulness, society enjoying unstoppable peace and civilization.

On the occasion of welcoming New Year 2023, on behalf of the Party and government leaders and on my own behalf, I would like to extend best wishes to all Lao people both in the country and abroad a good health, happiness and continue to carry out your tasks with new and greater success thus elevating our country to new heights of development.

May the celebration of International New Year 2023 be full of joy and peace and safety, “Happy New Year 2023”.