Last week we wrote to the new Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice, Brandon Lewis MP, welcoming the UK Government’s decision to pause the Bill of Rights Bill for further consideration.
We had concerns that the Bill, as drafted, could potentially:
- Weaken the UK’s framework of human rights protections.
- Reduce access to redress for breaches of human rights.
- Have implications for the protection of freedom of expression.
- Have significant constitutional implications, including for the Union.
We welcome the Government’s commitment to remaining party to the European Convention on Human Rights and retain its incorporation in UK law. The Human Rights Act, which achieves this, has significantly improved human rights protections and access to justice for people in the UK since its enactment in 1998.
This pause presents an opportunity to consider these issues further. Significant constitutional reforms should be subject to wide consultation and robust pre-legislative scrutiny.
We look forward to working with the Government to strengthen equality and human rights across Britain.
Download our letter to the Secretary of State for Justice
The above information is from News from the Equality and Human Rights Commission Newsletter Fri 30/09/2022