Rishi Sunak told to ditch plans to overhaul human rights laws

Rishi Sunak is being urged to abandon the governments controversial attempt to overhaul human rights legislation after a warning that the bill of rights appears to tip the balance in favour of the state and seriously damages peoples ability to enforce their rights.

A cross-party committee of MPs and peers said the bill, which would replace the Human Rights Act, which enshrines the European convention on human rights in the UK, showed a disregard for the UKs international legal obligations and would lead to more cases going to the European court of human rights in Strasbourg.

Ministers have said the bill is intended to curb the abuses of the current system. However, the parliamentary joint committee on human rights said it would create fresh barriers, making it harder for people to enforce their rights inside and outside the courts.

The government should not proceed with this bill, the committee said. It weakens rights protections, it undermines the universality of rights, it shows disregard for our international legal obligations; it creates legal uncertainty and hinders effective enforcement; it will lead to an increased caseload in Strasbourg; and will damage our international reputation as guardians of human rights.