MPs call on government for Bill of Rights
Sunday, 10 August 2008 12:01 AM
The UK needs a Bill of Human Rights to protect its citizens, a group of MPs has said.
The joint committee on human rights argues the government should introduce a Bill that goes beyond the Human Rights Act and would "give lasting effect to the values which are considered fundamental by the people of the United Kingdom".
The committee suggests the Bill should include traditional rights including that of a trial by jury and the right not to be subjected to intrusive surveillance without safeguards but also more recently recognised rights such as equality.
Andrew Dismore MP, chair of the committee said: "We want to see a Bill of Rights that would set the bar for the universal standards to which everyone is entitled, and fills the gaps in the protection of more vulnerable people such as the elderly, children or people with learning disabilities.
"It should not be some sort of 'charter for correct behaviour' that would see rights as a reward for fulfilling social responsibilities - rather it should be aspirational, setting out a shared vision for the future of our society."
The committee also said that there is a strong case for including the right to a healthy and sustainable environment in the Bill and detailed rights for children and other vulnerable groups.
It should be binding on private persons or bodies performing a public function, as was originally intended by the Human Rights Act, which would enable many vulnerable people to rely on their human rights against their service provider, even if they are private, the group added.
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