The Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Bill aims to end criminal investigations and civil cases linked to the Troubles, instead establishing an independent body to carry out inquiries with the power to offer immunity from prosecution to those who co-operate with it.

The proposals have been widely criticised by the Law Society of Northern Ireland, Northern Ireland political parties, the Irish government, the Council of Europe, Amnesty International and Westminster’s joint committee on human rights as failing to fulfil the UK’s obligations under international human rights law.

The bill will return to the Commons tomorrow for consideration of amendments made in the House of Lords, including those introduced by ministers in response to criticism but previously described by human rights campaigners as doing “nothing to address the fundamental flaws with the bill”.

The amended bill allows ongoing criminal investigations, inquests, the consideration of prosecution decisions and the publication of reports to continue until May 2024 as part of a “transition” to the new Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery (ICRIR).

Speaking today, Grainne Teggart, Amnesty’s Northern Ireland deputy director, said: “It is disgraceful that a bill universally opposed, and which betrays victims in the most cruel and contemptuous way possible, continues to be pushed through by the UK government.

“The call to abandon this shameful bill has never been more urgent. Now is the time for MPs to decide whether they will prop up the government’s plan to protect murderers or stand with victims and for their rights to truth and justice.

“The stakes for victims could not be higher and we must not lose sight of the fact that there is a better, previously agreed, human rights-compliant and victim-centred way forward to deal with the legacy of the conflict.

“As it stands, the UK government has chosen to ignore this. All eyes are now on MPs to see if they will do same.

“MPs must also consider the dangerous international precedent which will be set by this bill; providing a blueprint for letting state forces and illegal armed groups off with murder and other serious crimes — a legacy no government should want to create.”

Michael O’Hare, whose 12-year-old sister Majella O’Hare was shot dead by a British soldier in Co Armagh 47 years ago, said: “MPs need to pause and put themselves in my shoes. If your sister was shot and killed, you’d want the truth to come out and you’d rightly expect justice.

“My sister Majella’s life mattered, she was taken from us in the most horrific way. This bill betrays her, my family and every victim still waiting for the accountability we’re all entitled to.

“Shame on the UK government ignoring our pleas to drop the bill. I call on MPs to show up, reject the bill and tell government to think again.”