The UK Parliament’s Joint Committee on Human Rights has published its response to the Government’s Independent Human Rights Act Review stating there is no need for reform. Humanists UK has welcomed this submission, and has warned against proposals that might weaken the Act.
Following the Government launching its Independent Human Rights Act Review, the Joint Committee on Human Rights launched a call for evidence in January. Yesterday the cross-party Committee wrote to Sir Peter Gross, the Chair of the Government’s Review, with its initial findings, ahead of the Government’s review closing this week. It will publish its own full report in due course.
In its interim findings, the Committee found ‘no compelling case for reform of the Human Rights Act 1998’, that the Act ‘respects parliamentary sovereignty’, and ‘provides an important mechanism which allows individuals to enforce their rights which would be impossible for most people’.
Humanists UK responded to the Joint Committee on Human Rights’ call for evidence highlighting the importance of the Human Rights Act as a signature piece of legislation that enables ordinary citizens to hold the Government to account, such as with the exclusion of humanism from the school curriculum. It also called for exemptions to the Act to be removed which allow religious organisations to provide public services without being bound by it’s anti-discrimination protections. Humanists UK has also responded to the Independent Review’s call for evidence with similar points.
Humanists UK leads a coalition of over 150 charities, trades unions, and human rights organisations calling for protection of the Human Rights Act and judicial review.
Humanists UK Director of Public Affairs and Policy Richy Thompson said:
‘We welcome the interim findings of the Joint Committee on Human Rights on one of the most critically important reviews of the Human Rights Act. The Act protects our everyday rights which must not be taken for granted. We look forward to the release of the full report of the Committee and will continue campaigning ourselves and through our ever-increasing coalition in support of the Act.’
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For further comment or information, please contact Humanists UK Director of Public Affairs and Policy Richy Thompson at press@humanists.uk or phone 020 7324 3072 or 020 3675 0959.
Read more about the coalition.
Read more about our work on human rights and equality.
Read Humanists UK’s response to the Government’s Independent Human Rights Act Review
Read the Joint Committee on Human Rights’ interim response to the Government review.
Read more about the Government review panel.
Humanists UK is the national charity working on behalf of non-religious people. Powered by 100,000 members and supporters, we advance free thinking and promote humanism to create a tolerant society where rational thinking and kindness prevail. We provide ceremonies, pastoral care, education, and support services benefitting over a million people every year and our campaigns advance humanist thinking on ethical issues, human rights, and equal treatment for all.