A Bill of Rights for the UK?: Report, together with formal minutes

A Bill of Rights for the UK?: Report, together with formal minutes
Author: Great Britain. Parliament. Joint Committee on Human Rights
Publisher: Stationery Office Books (TSO)
Total Pages: 138
Release: 2008
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 9780104013472

There is an ongoing debate about whether or not there should be a Bill of Rights for the United Kingdom. The Government is committed to considering the need for a Bill of Rights and other political parties have expressed interest in developing one. The Committee intends its report to contribute to this debate. They have considered evidence from a range of witnesses about whether there is a need for a Bill of Rights including: who the Bill of Rights should cover; what the Bill should include; whether it should incorporate social and economic rights; how a Bill of Rights would fit in with and affect the relationship between Parliament, the executive and the courts; whether the Bill should refer to responsibilities, and how Government should consult the public about a future Bill. In Annex 1 there is an outline of what a draft Bill might look like. It is intended that this practical document demonstrates the potential simplicity of a Bill of Rights. The Committee is of the view that the United Kingdom should adopt a Bill of Rights and Freedoms. There are many groups in society, such as older people and adults with learning disabilities, whose human rights are insufficiently protected. The Committee argues that a UK Bill of Rights and Freedoms is desirable in order to provide necessary protection to all, and to marginalised and vulnerable people in particular. There are some additional rights which they believe should be included in a Bill of Rights and Freedoms: these are discussed in chapters four to six. The Committee recommends for inclusion, amongst others: the right to trial by jury; the right to administrative justice and international human rights (as yet not incorporated into UK law). Also there is a strong case for a Bill of Rights and Freedoms having detailed rights for children, and they recommend that the public should be consulted about including specific rights for other vulnerable groups. In addition, they argue that there is a strong case for including the right to a healthy and sustainable environment. The Committee concludes that rights cannot be contingent on performing duties or responsibilities and recommends that a Bill of Rights and Freedoms should not include directly enforceable duties, however, acknowledging that responsibilities are implicit in human rights instruments. On that basis, and to that end it's suggested that the language of responsibilities could have a role to play in a Bill of Rights and Freedoms, perhaps in the Preamble to the Bill.

Children Bill,Nineteenth Report of Session 2003-04,Report,Together with Formal Minutes,Appendices and Minutes of Evidence

Children Bill,Nineteenth Report of Session 2003-04,Report,Together with Formal Minutes,Appendices and Minutes of Evidence
Author: Great Britain: Parliament: Joint Committee on Human Rights
Publisher: The Stationery Office
Total Pages: 136
Release: 2004
Genre: Children
ISBN: 9780104005279

The Committee's report examines the Children Bill as introduced into the Commons in July 2004 (HCB 144, ISBN 0215704479), following Lords amendments. In particular, the report focuses on the parts of the Bill relating to: the creation of the post of Children's Commissioner for England; strengthening the legal framework of co-operation between agencies delivering children's services; as well as clause 49 of the Bill on the corporal punishment of children and the restriction of the defence of 'reasonable chastisement', in light of the UK's obligations under the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and the European Convention on Human Rights. Conclusions reached include i) support for the creation of an independent rights-based office of Children's Commissioner; and ii) that the continuing availability of the defence of reasonable chastisement is incompatible with the UK's obligations under the UN Convention and other international agreements.

A Bill of Rights for the UK?

A Bill of Rights for the UK?
Author: Great Britain. Parliament. Joint Committee on Human Rights
Publisher: The Stationery Office
Total Pages: 52
Release: 2009
Genre: Law
ISBN: 9780104014172

This report presents the Government's response to the Committee's 29th report (HL 165-I/HC 150-I, session 2007-08, ISBN 9780104013472). The Committee welcomes various aspects of the Government response but also has some substantive comments. It also notes that publication of the Government's Green Paper has been repeatedly delayed and recommends that it be published as soon as possible. The Government's reiteration of its commitment not to detract or resile from the rights in the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR); and its acknowledgement that there would be scope for including in a new constitutional document a range of rights and responsibilities which go beyond those in the ECHR, are welcomed. The Committee is concerned to detect some equivocation in the Government's view about the Human Rights Act, particularly following the interview given by the Secretary of State for Justice in the Daily Mail on 10 December 2008. It also remains unclear about the relationship between rights and responsibilities envisaged by the Government in a Bill of Rights. Finally, the Committee recommends that the Government should follow Australia's example and appoint an independent committee to conduct a national consultation on the whole range of options for a Bill of Rights for the UK, ahead of parliamentary consideration of the bill itself.

Legislative Scrutiny

Legislative Scrutiny
Author: Great Britain. Parliament. Joint Committee on Human Rights
Publisher:
Total Pages: 40
Release: 2007-05-21
Genre: Emigration and immigration
ISBN: 9780104010709

The Committee's report draws the attention of both Houses to the human rights implications of the UK Borders Bill (HLB 68, session 2006-07, ISBN 9780108436147) including provisions relating to: new powers for Immigration Officers to detain, search and seize; the proposed biometric registration scheme for non-EEA nationals giving rise to concerns about de facto racial profiling; and the automatic deportation of foreigners convicted of criminal offences. The Committee also comments on correspondence received regarding the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Bill (HCB 77, session 2006-07, ISBN 9780215708441) and makes recommendations for specific amendments to the Bill in line with its earlier report (HLP 83/HCP 424, session 2006-07, ISBN 9780104010464) on the matter.

A Bill of Rights for the UK?

A Bill of Rights for the UK?
Author: Bernan
Publisher: The Stationery Office
Total Pages: 196
Release: 2008-08
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 9780104013489

There is an ongoing debate about whether or not there should be a Bill of Rights for the United Kingdom. The Government is committed to considering the need for a Bill of Rights and other political parties have expressed interest in developing one. The Committee intends its report to contribute to this debate. They have considered evidence from a range of witnesses about whether there is a need for a Bill of Rights including: who the Bill of Rights should cover; what the Bill should include; whether it should incorporate social and economic rights; how a Bill of Rights would fit in with and affect the relationship between Parliament, the executive and the courts; whether the Bill should refer to responsibilities, and how Government should consult the public about a future Bill. In Annex 1 there is an outline of what a draft Bill might look like. It is intended that this practical document demonstrates the potential simplicity of a Bill of Rights. The Committee is of the view that the U

Equality Bill Sixteenth Report of Session 2004-05 Report, Together with Formal Minutes and an Appendix: House of Lords Paper 2004-05 98 House of Commo

Equality Bill Sixteenth Report of Session 2004-05 Report, Together with Formal Minutes and an Appendix: House of Lords Paper 2004-05 98 House of Commo
Author: Jean Corston
Publisher: Stationery Office/Tso
Total Pages: 25
Release: 2005-03-31
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 9780104006566

The Equality Bill (HCB 72, session 2004-05, ISBN 0215705475), published in March 2005, contains provisions to establish a new single body called the Commission for Equality and Human Rights (CEHR) to take over the work of the existing equality Commissions (the Equal Opportunities Commission, the Commission for Racial Equality, and the Disability Rights Commission). The CEHR will also assume responsibility for promoting equality and combating unlawful discrimination in relation to sexual orientation, religion and age, as well as providing, for the first time, institutional support for the promotion of human rights in the delivery of public services. The Committee concludes that the Bill represents the most important measure for the advancement of human rights in the UK since the Human Rights Act, and broadly supports its provisions in relation to the CEHR's functions, powers and structure and in enhancing human rights and equality. However, the report highlights some areas of concern, including the need for a general public sector human rights duty, powers in relation to Convention and non-Convention rights, the accountability of the Commission to Parliament and its status and independence from government, and provisions relating to harassment on grounds of religion or belief.

A Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland

A Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland
Author: Great Britain: Parliament: House of Commons: Northern Ireland Affairs Committee
Publisher: The Stationery Office
Total Pages: 86
Release: 2010-03-24
Genre: Political Science
ISBN: 9780215545145

Incorporating HC 360-i and ii, session 2008-09