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Over 30 groups raise concern about
human rights protection in the EU Withdrawal Bill
31 groups have submitted evidence to
the Joint Committee of Human Rights outlining their shared concerns about the
protection of human rights in the European Union (Withdrawal) Bill. Groups,
including:- Human Rights Watch, Liberty, National Union of Students, Women's Aid
(England), Disability Wales and Children in Scotland, submitted the evidence
ahead of the next House of Commons Committee stage day, on the Withdrawal Bill,
that took place on
Tuesday, 21 November 2017. A key item for discussion was the amendments on the
Charter of Fundamental Rights.
Coordinated by the British Institute of Human Rights, the evidence submission
states that the Withdrawal Bill, as it stands, will mean a loss of rights and
accountability for people in the UK, notably:-
► People's fundamental human rights and
equality protections, despite the Government's stated intention for the
Withdrawal Bill to maintain the status quo, a number of rights have either been
explicitly excluded or it is not clear how minimum standards of protection will
be ensured; and
► Parliamentary scrutiny... the Bill's provisions for amending transposed EU
law vest significant power in ministers rather than parliament, with its
associated processes for scrutiny and consideration of the views of civil
society.
It concludes that:- "Ultimately, exiting the EU should not lead to less
protection of people's rights; the standards of protection should be equivalent
to the current position, and where possible the opportunity to provide
additional (not different) rights protections should be taken."
What are your views on the European Union
(Withdrawal) Bill? Please email us your thoughts to:-
News24@SouthportReporter.com.
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