The victim's family and the German Federal Attorney have argued that the Good Friday Agreement, which imposes limitations on retrospective criminal proceedings being filed against paramilitaries who committed crimes during The Troubles, may not be binding.
This argument is made on the basis that the Geneva Convention would supersede the Good Friday Agreement in a situation where a civilian non-combatant like Hazell was killed by a paramilitary, thereby demanding prosecution as a war crime.
[3] The murder of Hazell, a German citizen, also took place in Germany and the country is not legally bound by the agreement between the United Kingdom and Ireland.
Speaking during a visit to Forres Academy, she said: "Let this message get across: Terrorists don't hesitate to attack wives and children, people who are totally innocent.
[citation needed]Melanie Anan, the niece of Hazell, started campaigning for justice, she inquired with witnesses and spoke to the Police Service of Northern Ireland.
"[6] On 16 March 2015, Anan wrote an open letter to President Barack Obama, which was subsequently published by the unionist newspaper Belfast Telegraph.