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context, and talking about British values such as of humanity, and commented that many people
O
the rule of law, liberty, democracy and fairness. who are not at all keen on the Human Rights
Andrew suggested that the opposition, by Act have found it very useful: “from Prince
R
Charles wanting to get married to a divorcee,
N
contrast, would take a different approach:
“The Government is proceeding on the basis to Jon Gaunt, the talk-show host, who has made
I
N
of the Human Rights Act plus, whereas the a career out of attacking the Human Rights Act,
G
Conservatives are definitely coming from the finding it was quite useful for him in challenging a

other perspective. I think that they would like to freedom of expression issue”.
P
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whittle away some of the things that are there.” Francesca reminded the conference that: “the
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Andrew also observed that there are lessons whole idea of bills of rights and human rights
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to be learnt from the public’s reception of the
was actually to protect the voiceless and those A
Human Rights Act. He said if it had been ‘sold’
lacking power from those who have power. [...] R
more effectively when it was first debated and
But it is not a replica of the ballot box. It is not
Y
introduced, human rights may now be better
a system based on the will of the majority. On
understood. Andrew proposed that including
the contrary, it was introduced as an idea from
economic, social and environmental rights – the
people’s struggles to correct the unintended
rights that affect our everyday lives – in a Bill of
consequences of systems based on the will of
Rights could be key to selling rights to the public,
the majority which of course ride roughshod
helping to dispel the notion that minority rights
over minorities.”
make it a ‘villains’ charter’.
• Why is the deaf community not distinguished
• Do specific gr oup conventions, such as the
from other disability groups in discussions
proposed UN Convention on the Rights of
about human rights?
Older Persons, have an important part to
Edward Adams replied that the European
play in the range of human rights instruments
Convention on Human Rights is often criticised
– or should we just focus on the conventions
for the way that it treats equality generally, and
we already have?
he hoped that the forthcoming green paper on
Francesca Klug said that the issue is
the Bill of Rights and Responsibilities will address
whether such conventions are consistent with
how the UK Government intends to deal with
international human rights norms. If they are,
equality in relation to human rights. He noted,
then “of course there is a case for focussing on
however, that “human rights and the Human
the needs of particular groups across a whole
Rights Act are only part of the picture,” pointing
range of issues”.
to the creation of the Equality and Human
Rights Commission two years ago as well as the
• Are human rights for the whole of humanity?
Government’s new Equality Bill. It is hoped that
Francesca Klug replied that the whole point this Bill will make a substantial difference to the
of human rights is that they are for the whole achievement of equality across the board.
From left to right: Anna Ford (Chair), Trevor Phillips, Francesca Klug, Andrew Dismore, Edward Adams, Ceri Goddard
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