Quakers appalled by Human Rights Act ‘overhaul’
‘These proposals violate the Quaker values of equality and justice.'
Britain Yearly Meeting (BYM) has announced that it is ‘appalled’ by government plans to weaken the Human Rights Act, saying that the proposals are unnecessary and will undermine all our rights.
Many of the plans in the new consultation go against the Independent Human Rights Act Review report, says BYM, which Quakers fed into via the British Institute of Human Rights. Legal experts say the proposals will make it harder for people to access justice when their rights have been violated.
BYM is particularly troubled by the government’s plans to link human rights to perceived good conduct. ‘This means that people convicted of a crime, particularly those who are not UK citizens, could have their rights violated with impunity because they are seen to have committed wrongdoing.’
Paul Parker, recording clerk of BYM, said: ‘These proposals violate the Quaker values of equality and justice. We believe that every human being is a child of God and deserves dignity and compassion, regardless of what they have done or where they are from. Coupled with the legislation the government is trying to pass, such as the Policing Bill, these plans will undermine our democracy. We will work with other civil society organisations to challenge this and promote our vision of a fairer society.’
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