We call on the Government and the Prime Minister to provide a national referendum on the planned abolition of the Human Rights Act.
The scrapping of the Human Rights Act, though a pledge in the Tory manifesto is a measure few are aware of and even less understand the implications. The scrapping of the act is part of the prime minister’s plans for the first 100 days, when the Queen’s speech is delivered on 27 May.
The Human Rights Act reinforces the European Convention on Human Rights, which was signed in 1950 to prevent the horrors of the Second World War ever happening again. It prevents torture and slavery, ensures the right to a fair trial and enshrines free speech in British law.
- Here’s what will effectively be scrapped by the Tories:
- The right to life
- The right not to be tortured
- The right not to be a slave
- The right to a fair trial
- The right NOT to be punished if you haven’t broken the law
- The right to private family life
- The right to freedom of thought, conscience, and religion
- The right to freedom of expression
- The right to marry and start a family
- The right to peaceful enjoyment of possessions
- The right to education
- The right to free elections
- The right NOT to be given to death penalty
These are the rights we all have and currently they are ours to protect or to give away. The Government believes that a majority of 12 seats, a 37 % share of the vote and with just 25 % of the electorate voting for the Conservatives, that this some how gives them a mandate to remove these fundamental rights that protect us all.
We disagree. With such an important change to our rights and our freedoms, this should be a matter decided by the people in a national referendum.
The question should request us to give our permission to the government, to abolish the act and remove these rights; it should also provide us the opportunity to vote on any proposed alternative.
To change the law in such a way that removes or alters our fundamental human rights can only be resolved by a national referendum. A referendum will provide national scrutiny and informed debate.
This Government believes that it has the right to amend, carve up, or remove your human rights. If they have their way, your human rights will no longer be absolute - they will be subject to stipulations and caveats, decided on your behalf.
- Sign so as to encourage national discussion on this issue and to provide us all with the right to decide.
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