The group had an excellent talk last week By Dr Howard Davis, lecturer in Public Law at Bournemouth University, about the Human Rights Act (HRA). As we’re sure everyone is aware, the Government plan to replace this act with a new “British ” Bill of Rights. Howard explained some of the history that led to the creation of the Human Rights Act. He emphasized it is totally separate to the European Convention of Human Rights (ECHR), which came into force in 1953 and, somewhat ironically, was largely drafted by the then Conservative government. The ECHR is a convention of the Council of Europe, not the European Union, so would still be in place if we ever left the European Union.
Howard went over some of the reasons why the Government don’t like the HRA and some of the reasons why it has been, in his view, a good law. In particular it empowers and protects unpopular minorities. He gave several examples of how it has been effectively used – stories you don’t tend to read about in the Daily Mail! But he stressed that the Government can repeal the HRA and whilst the concept of a “British” Bill of Rights seems somewhat odd at a time of increased devolution, we have yet to see any plans.
An Amnesty International briefing says the Government will release a consultation document in the Autumn, presumably by the end of November. In the meantime they encourage us to keep the pressure on our MPs and add your name to the petition to the Secretary of State for Justice, Michael Gove at http://keeptheact.uk They have also come up with the…
The Human Rights Challenge!
From the latest HRA briefing
“It’s time to get creative for the Human Rights Act! We are challenging youth, student and local Amnesty groups to come up with the most creative way to visually represent the Human Rights Act. Prizes will be given to the best ones.
You can create any type of content you like but here are a few ideas to get you thinking:
Hold a HRA-themed AmnesTea bake sale. Ask people to bake cakes based on an article in the HRA (see below for a short version of the HRA).
Draw a picture or take photos representing a right in the HRA.
Create a HRA banner and display it somewhere prominent in your school/ college/local community.
Hold a HRA flashmob in your town/city/on your campus/in your playground.
Write a short story/poem/song and recite/perform it.
Or think of something completely unique!
We will judge the winners on these criteria:
Most creative
Reached out to the most people/engaged new audiences
Best representation of a HRA right/the act itself!
Winning entries will be used to help promote the campaign.
To enter you need to send us a photo or video of your action or the action itself if it’s a photo or picture. Send your entries to activism@amnesty.org.uk
Deadline: 31st January 2016
Street Collections 2015
Thanks to everyone who took part in the three street collections over the past few months. Altogether we raised £280 – down on previous years, but still a significant amount. When overseas postage now starts at £1, every little helps. So thanks again to all who participated.