The Council of Europe's Commissioner for Human Rights warned on Monday July 4 of a risk of weakening human rights protection in the United Kingdom, in response to the London bill allowing the Court to override European Union of Human Rights (ECHR).
"
It is worrying that the proposed legal reforms could weaken human rights protections at a crucial time for the UK
," Dunja Mijatovic said in a statement after a five-day trip across the Channel. .
“
This sends the wrong signal beyond the country's borders at a time when human rights are under pressure across Europe
,” added the Commissioner.
Determined to have a free hand when it comes to immigration, the British government on 22 June presented a reform of human rights legislation through a new "
Bill of Rights
" which could allow London to ignore certain injunctions of the ECHR.
Read alsoLondon presents its legislation to override the ECHR
Jurisdiction of the Council of Europe ensuring compliance with the European Convention on Human Rights, the ECHR opposed the controversial expulsion to Rwanda of migrants who arrived illegally in the United Kingdom.
His decision had grounded a specially chartered plane at great expense shortly before it took off from a British military base on June 14.
The text wanted by London would replace the law (“
Human Rights Act
”) incorporating the European Convention on Human Rights into British law, emphasizing “
the supremacy of the Supreme Court
” and the fact that “
the British courts do not
have no obligation to follow Strasbourg case law
“, had said the Minister of Justice, Dominic Raab.
He had, however, assured that the United Kingdom intended to “
remain a State party to the European Convention on Human Rights
”, which he helped to shape.
Following his talks with the British authorities, Dunja Mijatovic also recalled that the European Convention on Human Rights was one of the foundations of the peace agreements in Northern Ireland.
“
It is essential that this foundation is not undermined by proposed human rights reforms
,” she added.
In its sights, a bill presented by London in May advocating the abandonment of legal proceedings relating to the Northern Irish conflict for British soldiers and paramilitaries involved in the “
Troubles
” who decide to cooperate with the authorities.
The Commissioner considered that the text would constitute a "
unilateral closing of options
" for victims and their families.
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