UK: Changes to key human rights laws need to be shelved till new Prime Minister is in place

This Government does not have the legitimacy to push ahead with highly controversial Bill of Rights and Northern Ireland Troubles bills

“Vital decisions belong to a new government under a new Prime Minister. The next leader needs to consult on these changes and consider the public’s responses and the significant harm inaction will do.” - Sacha Deshmukh

In response to the Prime Minister's resignation and implications for changes to key legislation, Sacha Deshmukh, Amnesty International UK’s Chief Executive, said:

“Following the Prime Minister's resignation, the highly controversial Bill of Rights and Northern Ireland Troubles bills must be shelved immediately.

“If pursued, these bills would fundamentally erode people’s rights and the terms of the political settlement in Northern Ireland - this Government simply does not have the legitimacy to push ahead with them.

“Contrary to its name, the Bill of Rights is an attempt to snatch away key rights not only affecting people’s right to challenge wrongdoing by the Government, but also the terms of the Belfast Good Friday Agreement. While the Troubles bill would allow murderers to escape justice and potentially endanger peace in Northern Ireland.

“Vital decisions belong to a new government under a new Prime Minister. The next leader needs to consult on these changes and consider the public’s responses and the significant harm inaction will do. Anything else will be deeply damaging and inappropriate as we stand on the brink of a new government.”