Anderson meets EU Commissioner for Human Rights

MEP Martina Anderson has met with the Council of Europe's Commissioner for Human Rights, Nils Muiznieks, to discuss ways of handling the past.

Speaking from Strasbourg after meeting Commissioner Muiznieks, the Sinn Fein representative she met with the Commissioner to discuss how legacy issues from the conflict are addressed. meeting was a follow-on from Commissioner Muiznieks visit to Belfast last year when he called on the British Government to fund investigations into the legacy of the conflict.

Ms Anderson (pictured) said: "At today's meeting we discussed the mechanisms for dealing with the past contained in the Stormont House Agreement, in particular Article 2 right to life obligations and issues around coroners courts.

"We discussed the importance of the Historical Investigations Unit (HIU) which could also assume the role undertaking investigative support for the coroners courts for legacy inquests.

"We also discussed the role of the Implementation and Reconciliation Group which would identify themes, trends and patters and outline initiatives which promote reconciliation.”

She concluded: "I also invited Commissioner Muiznieks back to the North and I look forward to him returning."