---
title: "Protect human rights and access to law, say charities in open letter"
date: "2020-02-18T08:57:03+00:00"
modified: "2020-08-07T16:31:08+01:00"
url: "https://humanists.uk/2020/02/18/protect-human-rights-and-access-to-the-law-says-humanists-uk-in-joint-letter/"
post_id: 85143
categories: ["News"]
---

# Protect human rights and access to law, say charities in open letter

![](https://i0.wp.com/humanists.uk/wp-content/uploads/architecture-structure-house-building-old-facade-1159137-pxhere.com_.jpg?resize=350%2C233&ssl=1)A wide variety of charities and other human rights-interested groups and individuals have joined together in writing an open letter on the need to protect human rights and legal mechanisms such as judicial review, to ensure the rights and freedoms of all are protected under the law. The letter, which Humanists UK coordinated with help from Index on Censorship, and which appears in [*The Telegraph* today](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/opinion/2020/02/18/lettersbritains-aid-budget-should-help-people-flooded-homes/), calls on the Government to uphold freedom and justice and protect these vital mechanisms. The letter is in response to the possibility that the Government is interested in reviewing both these areas.

The letter and signatories are below, as published in [*The Telegraph*](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/opinion/2020/02/18/lettersbritains-aid-budget-should-help-people-flooded-homes/):

> While every system could be improved, and protecting rights and freedoms for all is a balancing act, our Human Rights Act is a proportionate and well-drafted protection for the fundamental liberties and responsibilities of everyone in this country.
> 
> The Act guarantees the rights to free speech and expression, to life, to liberty, to security, to privacy, to assembly, and to freedom of religion or belief. It prohibits torture and guarantees fair trials and the rule of law.
> 
> Judicial review is an indispensable mechanism for individuals to assert those rights and freedoms against the power of the state. Any government that cares about freedom and justice should celebrate and protect these vital institutions and never demean or threaten them.
> 
> ---
> 
> **Andrew Copson**, Chief Executive, Humanists UK  
> **Jodie Ginsberg**, Chief Executive, Index on Censorship  
> **Aderonke Apata**, African Rainbow Family and Manchester Migrant Solidarity  
> **Jules Carey**, Partner, Bindmans LLP  
> **Louise King**, Director, Children’s Rights Alliance for England  
> **Adam Wagner**, Barrister, Doughty Street Chambers  
> **Peter Kumar**, Chair, Discrimation Law Association  
> **Kamran Mallick**, CEO, Disability Rights UK  
> **Daniel Gorman**, Director, English PEN  
> **Dr Wanda Wyporska**, Executive Director, The Equality Trust  
> **Sarah Mann**, Director, Friends, Families, Travellers  
> **Bernard Reed OBE**, Trustee, Gender Identity Research and Education Society  
> **Andrew Neilson**, Director of Campaigns, Howard League for Penal Reform  
> **Enver Solomon**, CEO, Just for Kids Law  
> **Julie Bishop**, Director, Law Centres Network  
> **Karen Smith**, Coordinator, Lesbian Immigration Support Group  
> **Martha Spurrier**, Director, Liberty  
> **Anthony Hudson QC**, Matrix Chambers  
> **Zrinka Bralo**, CEO, Migrants Organise  
> **Dr Greg Ussher**, CEO, METRO Charity  
> **Lukasz Konieczka**, Executive Director, Mosaic LGBT Youth Centre  
> **Deborah Gold**, Chief Executive, National Aids Trust  
> **Jim Killock**, Executive Director, Open Rights Group  
> **Jabeer Butt OBE**, Chief Executive, Race Equality Foundation  
> **Andy Gregg**, Chief Executive, Race on the Agenda  
> **Rebecca Vincent**, UK Bureau Director, Reporters without Borders  
> **Leila Zadeh**, Executive Director, UK Lesbian & Gay Immigration Group  
> **Sarah Clarke**, Senior Policy and Communications Officer, Unlock Democracy  
> **Mary-Ann Stephenson**, Director, Women’s Budget Group

**Notes:**

For further comment or information, please contact Humanists UK Press Manager Casey-Ann Seaniger at <casey@humanists.uk> or phone 020 7324 3078 or 07393 344293.

If you are a charity and would like you name to be added to the letter, please contact [rachel@humanists.uk ](mailto:rachel@humanists.uk)