Is the UK heading towards combat impunity? by Dr Thomas Hansen

Transitional Justice Institute: Public Lectures and Events

This seminar was held on 5 June 2020, as part of the TJI/INCORE/Healing Through Remembering online seminar series "Dealing with the Past in Northern Ireland: Deepening the Debate". The seminar looks into a number of initiatives and measures aimed at protecting military service personnel from investigation and prosecution currently being considered by the UK, including a Statute of Limitations, derogating from the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) in future armed conflicts; amending the Human Rights Act, and restricting UK courts' ability to adjudicate civil claims originating from conflicts abroad. The presenter argues these measures, if implemented, are problematic from a human rights and rule of perspective and undermines the UK's role as a strong defender of human rights in the global arena and a champion of the international rule of law; create additional challenges for upholding accountability standards around the world and, in the longer run, undermine the legitimacy and efficiency of normative and institutional frameworks that seek to advance accountability norms.

Presenter: Dr Thomas Hansen, Lecturer in Law, Transitional Justice Institute, Ulster University

For full information on the seminar series, see https://www.ulster.ac.uk/faculties/arts-humanities-and-social-sciences/law/updates/events/dealing-with-the-past-in-northern-ireland.