Retired Norwegian detective Kjell Erik Eriksen led team that studied 54 killings where British state involvement was confirmed or suspected. Photograph: Liam McBurney/PA Wire
The report authors believe the Legacy Act sets a bad precedent and will allow “repressive regimes around the world to justify and legitimise their own policies of impunity”. Gisle Kvanvig of the Norwegian Centre for Human Rights said 30,000 republican and loyalist perpetrators went to jail during the Troubles while very few army or police who committed crimes were convicted and that was the source of their report.
The Legacy Act will shut down all investigations into Troubles-related killings including inquests, court challenges and criminal trials. It will be replaced by an Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery though critics say it is an inadequate way of dealing with crimes of the past.The report identified a “tea and sandwiches” approach to the investigation of state killings.