David Ford backs call for government to fund Troubles killings inquiries 7 November 2014 Last updated at 09:14 Justice Minister David Ford has backed a call for the government to pay for investigations of killings by soldiers and police during the Troubles. Mr Ford said he believed the government had a moral and financial obligation to play its part in dealing with the past. On Thursday, European human rights commissioner Nils Muiznieks said budget cuts could not be used as an excuse for not upholding the rule of law. The government said it took its human rights obligations extremely seriously. Difficult balance The UK government cannot wash its hands of the investigations, including funding of the investigations End Quote Nils Muiznieks Council of Europe's commissioner for human rights Mr Muiznieks said the government was currently breaching the European Convention of Human Rights by not conducting effective, independent and reasonably prompt investigations into the killings, he said. Mr Ford said article two of the convention, the right to life, posed a difficult balance between "obligations to protect the life of people today as well as obligations to investigate deaths in the past." "At the moment, the justice system is funded for today - it's not funded for the past," he told BBC Radio Foyle on Friday. Justice Minister David Ford said the government has responsibilities under the European Convention That's why in the political talks I've made it clear we need a new specialist unit - this would be something like the historical investigations unit recommended by Richard Haass last year. We should be seeking funding for that from the British government, given its role in the past. Nils Muiznieks said the government should be conducting effective, independent and reasonably prompt investigations into the killings The government has a strong track record in upholding human rights, and takes its human rights obligations extremely seriously End Quote Northern Ireland Office statement In response, the government put forward a package of measures that it said fulfilled its legal duties. Strong track record Speaking on Thursday, Mr Muiznieks said budget cuts "should not be used as an excuse to hamper the work of those working for justice." He said: "The UK government cannot wash its hands of the investigations, including funding of the investigations.