UK Bill of Rights questioned

Proposals to establish a UK ‘Bill of Rights’ have been brought into question by researchers at London Metropolitan University.

The Human Rights and Social Justice Research Institute (HRSJ) contributed to a consultation about plans to introduce a new human rights law to the UK.

The institution, based in London Met’s Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, found that no convincing case for why the UK needs a Bill of Rights has yet been made.

In a report based on research into the creation of such bills in the post-war era, the Institute argues that any reform of human rights laws in the UK should build on, rather than dilute, the current Human Rights Act.

The report also advocates reform of the European Court of Human Rights, but through an evidence-based approach.

Alice Donald, Senior Research Fellow in the HRSJ, said: "The consultation on a Bill of Rights was an important opportunity for the Human Rights and Social Justice Research Institute to influence the development of human rights law in the UK.

“A key recommendation from our research is that a new Bill of Rights that decreased human rights protection would be unprecedented in the democratic world.

“This is an important message at a time when some Conservative politicians and other commentators have called for steps which would dilute human rights protection in the UK.”

HRSJ made its submission to an independent commission set up by the government to explore options for a UK Bill of Rights, against a background of political and media hostility to both the Human Rights Act and the Strasbourg Court.

The institute concluded that these conditions have resulted in an unfavourable climate for constitutional reforms of this scale.

The consultation reflects HRSJ’s status as a leading and respected research institute which plays an important role in shaping UK policy.

Earlier this year, the Institute created a practical guide on human rights after being commissioned by the Equality and Human Rights Commission to carry out this major project.   

Read the full HRSJ response to the UK Bill of Rights consultation.

12 December 2011