Human rights hitting the headlines…
Human rights is a complicated and conceptually complex area of law, the effects of which feature in countless stories reported in the news every day. Here we run a weekly report on the key human rights stories of the moment.
Weekly round-up…
W/C 8th March…
James Bulger killer back in prison
Jon Venables, one of the boys convicted of murdering James Bulger in 1993, has been returned to custody after breaching conditions of his release. Details of the arrest have not been disclosed. An article in the Sunday Mirror claimed the crime related to child pornography, a claim that justice secretary Jack Straw has neither confirmed or denied. Jon Venables and Robert Thompson have been protected by anonymity orders since their release in 2001.They were just ten years old when they abducted and murdered two-year-old Bulger. Despite public outcry at their so-called ‘lenient’ eight-year sentence, the European Commission on Human Rights ruled their trial as unfair because it was held in public and subject to intensive press coverage.
‘Sarah’s law’ will be rolled out nationally within a year
The Home Office has confirmed the national roll out of ‘Sarah’s Law’ within twelve months. The scheme, known as 'Sarah’s law' after Sarah Payne who was abducted and murdered by convicted sex offender Roy Whiting, will enable parents to check police records of anyone with regular unsupervised contact to their children. A pilot run of the law has revealed that fathers concerned about the new boyfriends of ex-partners were one of the largest groups to request information from the police. It will be introduced to 18 police forces by August with the remaining 21 following by March 2011.
Dangerous dogs law extended
Current dangerous dogs law will be extended to include the compulsory microchipping of all dogs in a new crackdown unveiled by Alan Johnson. The new measures unveiled by home secretary, will require dogs to have third-party insurance so any victims can be properly compensated and will also extend to cover any dog attacks on private property to protect postmen. The new law will make it easier for police to track down owners in violent cases. According to RSPCA records complaints about dog fights has increased 12-fold between 2004 and 2008.
W/C 1st March…
BBC faces strike action over plans to axe stations and job cuts
The BBC faces possible strike action over proposed job cuts in what has been billed the most radical overhaul in the BBC’s 88-year history. Broadcasters’ union Bectu warned that the changes could see up to 600 people lose their jobs. Bectu’s general secretary Gerry Morrissey said, ‘These cuts are totally unnecessary and are purely politically motivated.’ The company’s decision to axe digital radio stations the Asian Network and 6 Music has proved the most controversial, prompting over 2,500 complaints and a petition signed by more than 80,000 people.
‘Gender-specific’ uniforms may breach human rights
The Equality and Human Rights Commission has warned that by forcing girls to wear skirts as uniform, schools may be breaching human rights laws. The EHRC raised concerns that enforced gender-specific uniform could be deemed discriminatory against transsexual children. The watchdog said, ‘Pupils born female with gender dysphoria experienced great discomfort being forced to wear stereotypical girls’ clothes - for example a skirt’. Despite opposition from many schools, the commissioning spokesperson continued, ‘This is all about giving schools information which will help them interpret the law.’
MPs debate standardisation of sex education in schools
The government has begun a debate on making sex and relationship lessons compulsory in all schools - including faith schools - by 2011. However, although faith schools will have to cover the same subjects, including contraception, equality and same-sex relationships, they will be permitted to do so in a way that reflects their religious beliefs. This has led to some claiming they are being offered an ‘opt out’, which equality groups maintain could fuel homophobia. Schools Secretary Ed Balls denied this, stating that all schools must teach ‘full, broad, balanced curriculum on sex and relationship education’.
Archive…
Read February's human rights news
Read January's human rights news
2009…
Read our review of 2009's human rights highlights
Read December's human rights news
Read November's human rights news
Read October's human rights news
Publishing Date: March 2009
General Editors: Lord Lester QC, Lord Pannick QC, and Javan Herberg,
Blackstone Chambers
