April 4, 2011 Off

Latest human rights developments in the UK: 28/3/2011 – 3/4/2011

By Justin Glenister in Weekly human rights updates

Mon 28/3/2011

Anti-Cuts Protests: Prime Minister’s Office
The Government supports the right to peaceful protest whether in this country or any other country.
Press briefing

Prisoner Votes: House of Commons
The Council of Europe’s Committee of Ministers will resume consideration of prisoner voting rights in the UK once the Government’s request to refer the ECtHR judgment in the Greens and MT case to the Grand Chamber has been considered.
Mark Harper, Under Secretary for Constitutional and Political Reform, Conservative
Full transcript

Violence Against Women: House of Lords
In the draft Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence Against Women and Domestic Violence, the Government is seeking to clarify the wording in Art 3a to ensure international human rights obligations remain robust and effective.
Baroness Neville-Jones, Min of St for Security and Counter Terrorism, Conservative
Full transcript

Tues 29/3/2011

HRA / Bill of Rights: House of Commons
In answer to direct questioning on his stance on the HRA and Bill of Rights debate, he would like a debate to concentrate on what is more immediately attainable, which is sensible reform of the ECtHR.
Kenneth Clarke, Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice, Conservative
Full transcript

Compensation Culture: House of Commons
Submissions to Ministers are ‘in contrast when I first received them, now so full of concerns about judicial review, the HRA and other legal constraints…we are getting further and further away from common sense’.
Kenneth Clarke, Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice, Conservative
Full transcript

Wed 30/3/2011

Human Rights (Scotland): House of Commons
The Advocate General for Scotland and Lord Wallace of Tankerness has regular discussions with the Lord Advocate on issues, including human rights issues.
Michael Moore, Secretary of State for Scotland, Lib Dem
Full transcript

Female Circumcision Prevention: Media
The Government has abolished the only Whitehall post devoted to work preventing women and girls from the UK being subjected to female genital mutilation. Charities say efforts to eradicate the procedure will be undermined.
Full story

Expert Witnesses: Judiciary
In Jones v Kaney, the Supreme Court has ruled that an expert giving in advice in the course of litigation is no longer immune from being sued in negligence.
Judgment | Press release | Analysis

Torture: Media
An alleged terrorist says he has been interrogated by British intelligence officers after being severely mistreated at a Ugandan prison, in what appears to be the first major challenge to the Government’s renunciation of the use of torture.
Full story

Thurs 31/3/2011

Corporate Responsibility: House of Commons
Following a January meeting with Professor Ruggie, the UN Special Representative on Business and Human Rights, the Government welcomes the guiding principles developed by him and will work to build consensus for their adoption.
Edward Davey, Under-Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, Lib Dem
Full transcript

International: House of Commons
‘Human Rights and Democracy: The 2010 Foreign and Commonwealth Office Report’ will be published today and available online at www.fco.gov.uk/hrdreport.
William Hague, Secretary of State at the FCO, Conservative
Full transcript

International: House of Lords
‘Human Rights and Democracy: The 2010 Foreign and Commonwealth Office Report’ will be published today and available online at www.fco.gov.uk/hrdreport.
Lord Howell of Guildford, Minister of State at the FCO, Conservative
Full transcript

Prisoner Votes: Media
A convicted murderer has gone to court in a bid to win his right to vote in the Holyrood election on 5 May.
Full story

Fri 1/4/2011

Parliament Square: Media
MPs across the political spectrum have condemned plans to clamp down on protests outside Parliament.
Full story

Pre-trial Detention: Media
Colin Duffy, a well-known republican accused of the Real IRA murders of two soldiers, is taking a legal challenge to the Supreme Court.
Full story

Sat 2/4/2011

Medical Funding: Media
A 15 year old boy who suffers from a rare medical condition is to make legal history by becoming the first child to sue his local health authority under the HRA. The case is unusual as it is being made under both Arts 6 and 8.
Full story

Royal Ascession: Media
A Jersey man who claims he is the illegitimate child of Princess Margaret says he is taking his case to the ECtHR.
Full story

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