Tories Push Ahead with "Power Grab" on Human Rights Despite Criticism

Strategic Insights -

The UK Government is introducing a proposed Bill of Rights that aims to give British courts more power in interpreting human rights laws, but critics argue it's a "power grab" that will undermine the European Convention on Human Rights. The Bill would introduce a permission stage in court where claimants must show they have suffered significant damage before their case can go ahead, to reduce "trivial" cases. It would also restrict the circumstances in which foreign-born people convicted of crimes are able to argue their right to family life trumps public safety in a bid to prevent their removal from the UK.

Key Takeaways:

  • The proposed Bill of Rights aims to strengthen the UK's tradition of freedom while injecting common sense into the system.
  • The Bill would introduce a permission stage in court where claimants must show they have suffered significant damage before their case can go ahead.
  • It would also restrict the circumstances in which foreign-born people convicted of crimes are able to argue their right to family life trumps public safety.
  • The Bill would confirm that interim measures from the European court under rule 39 are not binding on UK courts.
  • Critics argue the Bill is a "power grab" that will undermine the European Convention on Human Rights.
  • Labour warns the Bill would take rights away by removing a key obligation that has allowed women to force police to investigate rapes and for families seeking justice after atrocities such as Hillsborough.
  • The SNP describes the proposals as part of a plot to "undermine" human rights.
  • Campaign group Liberty branded the move a "power grab" by the UK Government, while the Law Society described it as a "lurch backwards for British justice".

Statistics:

  • The Bill would seek to protect Government plans to increase the use of separation centres for extremists from legal challenges based on the right to socialise.
  • The proposed Bill would boost press freedom by introducing a stronger test for courts to consider before ordering journalists to disclose their sources.
  • The Ministry of Justice has stated that the Bill would introduce a stronger test for courts to consider before ordering journalists to disclose their sources.
  • Labour has warned that the Bill would prevent people with health problems from objecting to 'do not resuscitate' orders being placed on them in hospital without their consent.
  • The Bill would also block women from forcing the police to investigate cases of rape.

Sources:

  • The Guardian article on the proposed Bill of Rights
  • Amnesty International UK's statement on the proposed Bill
  • The Law Society's statement on the proposed Bill
  • Labour's press release on the proposed Bill
  • The SNP's press release on the proposed Bill