Recommendation 17

Inquests are often used as a means of discharging the State’s obligation under Article 2 ECHR. The cessation of inquests means that the ICRIR must be capable of delivering Article 2 compliant investigations in lieu of the inquest system. As set out above, the ability of the ICRIR to satisfy this is not guaranteed. We are concerned that the cessation of inquests will deny the families of victims their legitimate expectation to an Article 2 compliant investigation into the deaths of their next- of-kin. We therefore propose that inquests be permitted to continue in accordance with the current five-year plan (see Annex, Amendment 17).