Compatibility with the European Convention on Human Rights
156 The Government considers that the Historical Institutional Abuse (Northern Ireland) Bill [HL] is compatible with the European Convention on Human Rights ("ECHR"), although articles of the ECHR are engaged.
157 The Bill does not give rise to EU or international issues; creates new criminal offences; does not give rise to any unresolved devolution or constitutional issues; does not contain provisions which have retrospective effect or commence early and confers no powers to amend primary legislation.
158 Accordingly, the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Julian Smith, has made a statement under clause 19(1)(a) of the Human Rights Act 1998 to this effect.