A threat to rights in the UK is a threat to rights for all

Peace Brigades International responds to UK government bill scrapping the Human Rights Act

This week the UK government presented legislation which will reduce the rights of citizens and rip up a powerful tool for holding those in power to account – the Human Rights Act. Responding to the Justice Secretary’s announcement, PBI UK Director Ben Leather said:

“This appears to be a power grab by a government keen to avoid scrutiny. The UK has often been an ally for human rights defenders abroad, yet now it is rolling back hard-won freedoms at home. This Rights Removal Bill must be opposed”.

“Human rights are universal and should never be subject to the whims of the government of the day. The proposed bill reduces rights, removes protections, and leaves the vulnerable more exposed to abuses”, said Leather.

He added that “This ideological gamble also undermines the UK’s ability to champion the rights and democracy globally that are so important to ensuring security, promoting sustainable development, and tackling climate change”.

The proposed law:

• Reduces the ‘positive obligations’ which currently make it the responsibility of public authorities to take proactive steps to protect rights rather than merely ensure they don’t violate them.

• Undermines the role of both national courts and the European Court of Human Rights, skewing the balance of power in favour of the government, politicians, and officials seeking to avoid accountability.

• Lays down unprecedented obstacles to challenging rights abuses in court, by introducing a ‘permission stage’ to proceedings.

Scrapping the backbone of justice at home and action abroad

With the backing of exemplary legislation at home, the UK government and its diplomats around the world have previously taken crucial and sometimes life-saving action to protect human rights defenders, including those who PBI supports in response to the death threats and attacks they face.

Meanwhile, in the United Kingdom, victims of abuses and atrocities have relied on the Human Rights Act to fight for justice, obtain compensation, and underpin peace. They include the Hillsborough families, the victims of serial sexual attacker John Worboys, and communities across Northern Ireland. Where the State had failed them, the Human Rights Act proved an ally.

The Government have argued their proposed ‘Bill of Rights’ will strengthen freedom of speech, but campaigners have called the government out for a ‘false narrative’ regarding this bill which could actually undermine freedom of expression.

PBI has joined over 150 organisations to demand the Government provide pre-legislative scrutiny of the proposed bill, with both Conservative and opposition MPs supporting the call. An online petition has also been launched.

PBI UK Campaigns Officer Laura Grace said “A threat to rights in the UK is a threat to rights for all. PBI will continue to monitor and oppose any attempt to restrict the ability to safely defend human rights at home, just as we do with the brave defenders we accompany around the world”.

Please sign the petition to call on the UK Government to save the Human Rights Act.