CAJ responds to Human Rights Act consultation
CAJ has responded to the UK government’s consultation on reform of the Human Rights Act.
We wish to make it clear that we object to the proposals in this consultation and the proposed Bill of Rights to replace the Human Rights Act 1998 (HRA), which in our view would greatly reduce the protections currently in place. It is our view that the underlying tone and content of this consultation misrepresents the positive impact of the HRA to wider society and the important role it has in ensuring accountability from public authorities. It is a further attempt to reduce access to justice and to interfere with the separation of powers, which does not have the support of civil society in Northern Ireland.
It is of concern to CAJ that the particular circumstances of the Northern Ireland devolved administration, like that of Scotland and Wales, is addressed in one question of this 123 page consultation.
We reject any plans to dilute or replace the Human Rights Act.
Our full submission is here, which includes our answers to the questions in the questionnaire attached to the consultation.