In light of the proposals set out of by the Conservatives today, the Law Society reiterates its position in defence of the Human Rights Act.

The Law Society stands by its initial response to the proposed bill of rights in 2011: the Human Rights Act should be retained, not replaced.

The Law Society believes that the Human Rights Act already fulfils a legitimate role that any bill of rights would duplicate. It would weaken the protection of human rights.

The Society is concerned that the Conservatives’ ‘Proposals for Changing Britain’s Human Rights Laws’ contains inaccuracies or ‘howlers’ as former attorney-general Dominic Grieve said.

Following prime minister David Cameron’s speech to the Conservative party conference on Wednesday, Law Society president Andrew Caplen made the following statement:

’The Human Rights Act ensures that the rights included in the European Convention on Human Rights are enshrined in UK law. The convention was established following the Second World War to protect the rights of the people, over the powers of governments.

‘The Law Society is proud of the protection that the Human Rights Act provides, of Britain’s role in the creation of an EU-wide Court of Human Rights, and of the decisions that have been made there. We should promote the existing act, not replace it.’

 

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