LONDON, 22 June, 2022 (AFP) – The British government on Wednesday introduced a bill to parliament that would allow it to circumvent some rules of the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR), which last week halted the expulsion of migrants to Rwanda was.
This jurisdiction of the Council of Europe – based in Strasbourg and independent of the European Union – has opposed the controversial expulsion of migrants and asylum seekers coming to the UK illegally.
His decision prevented a special chartered plane from taking off at the last minute on 14 June.
For the ECTHR, British justice must analyze in detail the legality of the project, which is expected in July.
Following the decision, Boris Johnson’s executive strengthened its intention to reform British law on human rights, with a new Bill of Rights introduced this Wednesday.
Justice Minister Dominic Raab said, “This bill of rights will strengthen our tradition of British independence, while injecting a healthy dose of common sense into the system.”
There is still no date for a debate on the text that will replace the Human Rights Act, which includes the European Convention on Human Rights, in British law.
The new charter reaffirms “the supremacy of the British Supreme Court” and reaffirms the fact that “Britain’s courts are not bound to follow Strasbourg jurisprudence”, Raab said.
Despite requests from some conservatives, the minister assured that the country would stick to the European Convention on Human Rights, which Boris Johnson’s grandfather – James Fawcett – contributed to its drafting in the early 1950s.
If approved, the new law should also facilitate the deportation of foreigners convicted by courts, while limiting the spread of the right to family life over public safety.
“These reforms will strengthen freedom of expression, allow the deportation of foreign criminals and better protect citizens,” Raab said.
The bill was criticized by the main opposition Labor Party and NGOs.
“The Human Rights Act guarantees justice for millions, protects victims of wrongdoing and guarantees the care our families need,” said Steve Reid of the Labor Party. The new declaration “will curtail these rights”, he denounced.
Amnesty International warned it was a “big blow”.
MPA-ACC/MB/JC
