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23/02/2006
Amnesty criticises UK terrorism laws
Amnesty International has criticised the government's anti-terrorism laws, claiming that they have led to serious human rights abuses.
In the report, 'United Kingdom - Human Rights: A Broken Promise', the human rights campaign group accused the UK government of passing a series of laws since September 11 that contain provisions that contravene human rights laws. Amnesty said that the implementation of this legislation had led to "serious abuses of human rights" and also threatened the independence of the judiciary.
The group said that the Terrorism Bill, which is currently before Parliament, would undermine the rights to freedom of expression, association, liberty and fair trial, if it were implemented.
Amnesty also accused the government of trying to undermine the prohibition of torture, by seeking to deport people they had labelled as suspected international terrorists and national security threats, to countries where they could face torture or ill treatment.
It criticised the government's Memorandums of Understanding - diplomatic assurances with countries such as Jordan, Libya and Lebanon that suspects sent back to those countries would not face torture - calling them a "dangerous circumvention of international law".
Amnesty said that the UK's policies and actions were effectively sending a "green light" to other governments to abuse human rights.
However, Lord Chancellor Lord Falconer, said that the government had always complied with human rights principles. Speaking on BBC Radio 4's 'Today' programme, he said: "It is unfortunate that an organisation of Amnesty's standard is in effect attacking our values when what they are really doing is saying "You are being too tough in relation to the stances you are taking within human rights law."
(KMcA/GB)
In the report, 'United Kingdom - Human Rights: A Broken Promise', the human rights campaign group accused the UK government of passing a series of laws since September 11 that contain provisions that contravene human rights laws. Amnesty said that the implementation of this legislation had led to "serious abuses of human rights" and also threatened the independence of the judiciary.
The group said that the Terrorism Bill, which is currently before Parliament, would undermine the rights to freedom of expression, association, liberty and fair trial, if it were implemented.
Amnesty also accused the government of trying to undermine the prohibition of torture, by seeking to deport people they had labelled as suspected international terrorists and national security threats, to countries where they could face torture or ill treatment.
It criticised the government's Memorandums of Understanding - diplomatic assurances with countries such as Jordan, Libya and Lebanon that suspects sent back to those countries would not face torture - calling them a "dangerous circumvention of international law".
Amnesty said that the UK's policies and actions were effectively sending a "green light" to other governments to abuse human rights.
However, Lord Chancellor Lord Falconer, said that the government had always complied with human rights principles. Speaking on BBC Radio 4's 'Today' programme, he said: "It is unfortunate that an organisation of Amnesty's standard is in effect attacking our values when what they are really doing is saying "You are being too tough in relation to the stances you are taking within human rights law."
(KMcA/GB)
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19 September 2003
Government publishes annual report on human rights
The government's response to human rights challenges around the world over the last year has published in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office's Annual Report on Human Rights. The human rights situation in Iraq is one of the major elements of the report, and the government has outlined two strands to its human rights policy in Iraq.
Government publishes annual report on human rights
The government's response to human rights challenges around the world over the last year has published in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office's Annual Report on Human Rights. The human rights situation in Iraq is one of the major elements of the report, and the government has outlined two strands to its human rights policy in Iraq.
16 September 2010
NI Bill Of Rights Wins UK Backing
As the Stormont Justice Minister David Ford vowed to reshape the region's justice system to fit the needs of the people of Northern Ireland, human rights commissions across the UK have backed a proposed Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland.
NI Bill Of Rights Wins UK Backing
As the Stormont Justice Minister David Ford vowed to reshape the region's justice system to fit the needs of the people of Northern Ireland, human rights commissions across the UK have backed a proposed Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland.
11 May 2004
Girl (8) among Iraqi civilians killed by UK troops: report
An eight-year-old girl is among a number of Iraqi civilians who have been killed in disputed circumstances by British forces in southern Iraq, an Amnesty International report has alleged.
Girl (8) among Iraqi civilians killed by UK troops: report
An eight-year-old girl is among a number of Iraqi civilians who have been killed in disputed circumstances by British forces in southern Iraq, an Amnesty International report has alleged.
09 March 2004
Britain's five Guantanamo detainees fly home today
Five of the nine British nationals held by the US in Guantanamo Bay are expected to fly home to the UK today.
Britain's five Guantanamo detainees fly home today
Five of the nine British nationals held by the US in Guantanamo Bay are expected to fly home to the UK today.
30 June 2010
No Human Rights' Protection For Troops
Human rights protection does not apply to British troops involved in conflict - that's according to the Supreme Court that has ruled that UK soldiers are not protected by human rights laws on the battlefield.
No Human Rights' Protection For Troops
Human rights protection does not apply to British troops involved in conflict - that's according to the Supreme Court that has ruled that UK soldiers are not protected by human rights laws on the battlefield.
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