Thirty-three years after decriminalisation, justice finally in sight for men convicted under historic anti-gay laws
The Minister for Justice, Jim O’Callaghan TD., confirmed in the Dáil today (22nd January) that his officials are finalising provisions to implement a Disregard Scheme for men who were convicted under the anti-gay laws which were repealed 33 years ago, in 1993. The provisions will be brought forward as Amendments to the Criminal Law and Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill currently going through the Oireachtas.
“Thirty-three years after decriminalisation, justice is finally in sight for men convicted under historic anti-gay laws, which were huge violations of their human rights and dignity by the State”, said Kieran Rose of the LGBT Restorative Justice Campaign
“The confirmation from the Minister for Justice that the long-awaited legislation to address these unjust convictions is imminent will bring relief to people who have been living for decades under the cloud of criminal convictions for consensual activity.”
“The Government and the Oireachtas have previously acknowledged that those convictions were wrong, that significant harms were done to those who were arrested, charged, prosecuted and convicted under the legislation, and that the wider LGBTQ+ community was also harmed by these laws.”
“We await sight of the Government proposals and expect that they will address the issues raised in the Government’s Working Group on the issues which reported in 2023”.
“The prospect of imminent legislation for a Disregard Scheme offers a real chance of accelerating progress on disregards, ensuring that those who want their names and records cleared can do so before it is too late” concluded Rose.
ENDS.
LGBT Disregard 