The country has gone to the polls, and BIHR has been keeping a close eye on what the parties are saying about human rights.
What the parties are saying:
- Labour: “We are proud to have brought in the Human Rights Act, enabling British citizens to take action in British courts rather than having to wait years to seek redress in Strasbourg. We will not repeal or resile from it”.
- Conservatives: “To protect our freedoms from state encroachment and encourage greater social responsibility, we will replace the Human Rights Act with a UK Bill of Rights.”
- Liberal Democrats: “[Will…] Ensure that everyone has the same protections under the law by protecting the Human Rights Act.”.
What BIHR thinks:
- Read BIHR’s General Election Briefing, April 2010. This briefing summarises the manifesto pledges of the three main political parties in relation to the Human Rights Act, sets out BIHR’s response and highlights the ‘missing link’ between the Human Rights Act and other policies at the heart of this election, such as the role of individuals, the state and society in shaping or running public services.
- BIHR’s Response to the party manifestos: Following the publication of the party manifestos, read BIHR’s overview and initial analysis of the pledges. This analysis was also published on Open Democracy, available here.
- Joint letter from RADAR, Age UK, Carers UK, Child Poverty Action Group and BIHR responding to the manifesto pledges in the Guardian newspaper on 15 April 2010.
Three key actions:
- Now that we know where the parties stand, we are urging our supporters and partners to continue to speak up - privately and publicly - for the Human Rights Act whenever you can.
- Use BIHR’s General Election Briefing as part of your work or activities in the election period and distribute it to your contacts, networks and members.
- Visit www.ourhumanrightsstories.org.uk, and contribute to the work we are doing with a range of organisations to tell the untold story about the Human Rights Act and how people are using in it in quite ways to improve their lives.
Further information
Read the party manifestos:
Other initiatives
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