Human Right Act

I am pleased that the Liberal Democrat group on Bath & North East Somerset Council are moving a motion to inform the Conservative government that will will oppose any proposals to repeal the The Human Rights Act.

We would hope that members from all political group would support the motion.

Council notes that:
1. The Human Rights Act 1998 came into force in the United Kingdom in October 2000.

2. The Act ensures that the protections included in the European Convention on Human Rights (a treaty which British lawyers helped to draft in the aftermath of World War 2) are enshrined in UK law.

3. All public authorities and bodies carrying out public functions are responsible for complying with the Act. This includes B&NES Council.

4. The Human Rights Act provides guidance for public authorities in ensuring their policies are developed in line with human rights standards.

5. The Act ensures that all residents have direct access to the fundamental rights and freedoms included in the ECHR and can pursue human rights cases in the domestic courts rather than only the European Court of Human Rights.

6. These fundamental rights and freedoms are a key part of our fair, free and democratic society. Everyone in the UK is entitled to have these rights protected, even when we disagree with their beliefs or actions.

 Council resolves:

1. To oppose government proposals to repeal the Human Rights Act and replace it with a bill of rights.

2. To write to the Home Secretary and the Justice Secretary to express this Council’s opposition to the repeal of the Human Rights Act.

 3. To write to the MPs for Bath and for North East Somerset to call on them to oppose the repeal of the Human Rights Act.