Target: Ben Elliot, Chairman of the UK Conservative Party
Goal: Stop attacks on human rights enshrined into law.
According to a damning report by global humanitarian organization Amnesty International, the United Kingdom (UK) is scoring an alarmingly failing grade on human rights. This comprehensive review tallies many dangerous infractions, including a failure at the highest level to protect against COVID-19, escalating mistreatment of women and minorities, oppression of protesters, and lack of accountability in crimes committed by law enforcement or military forces. Destructive new actions could strip away the rights of citizens to enact change against any or all of these inequities.
The UK Human Rights Act has become a favorite punching bag and target of some politicians. The law codifies many of the rights recognized by the European Convention on Human Rights. A review commissioned by the UK’s Conservative party is aimed at “justified…reforms,” but critics fear this latest move is a step away from dismantling and undermining the entire law and the protections it affords.
Another process launched by the same usual suspects takes aim at judicial review. The investigation of judicial reivew on the surface seems to ask the question of whether judges have too much power. The question, however, comes as the judiciary is increasingly vital to cementing constitutional rights at the national level and keeping the powers of the executive government in check. Crucially, this process will also test the judicial branch’s power to decide on cases brought by civilians against the government.
These insidious actions may be dressed up as reviews and recommendations, but their true intent appears to be repeal…the repeal of human rights. Sign the petition below to urge an end to these continuous attacks on fundamental freedoms.
PETITION LETTER:
Dear Chairman Elliot,
“On the right to protest, on the Human Rights Act, on accountability for coronavirus deaths, on asylum, on arms sales or on trade with despots, we’re speeding toward the cliff edge.” The UK Director of Amnesty International had these condemning words for the United Kingdom. What was the “cliff’ edge” she referenced? On nearly every measure of human rights, the UK is approaching an abyss.
In a pandemic world, the rights of every person become paramount. The Conservative party must stop its efforts to cast these rights aside. Please rethink reviews of the Human Rights Act and judicial review. The time could be much better spent on a COVID commission so that mistakes of the past will not be repeated, real policing reforms that can curtail so many of the recent tragedies that have grabbed headlines in England and beyond, and laws aimed at equity, not oppression.
Stop trying to repeal human rights.
Sincerely,
[Your Name Here]
Photo Credit: Polina Kovaleva
235 Signatures