European Convention on Human Rights 2023-02-21
2023-02-21
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Direct Answer
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Context
The policy area concerns the UK's relationship with the ECHR and how it will be addressed in future.
What is his policy on the future of the UK's adherence to the European convention on human rights?
Our Bill of Rights will envisage us remaining a state party to the ECHR and fully availing ourselves of the margin of appreciation to restore some common sense to our human rights regime.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
The 25th anniversary of the Good Friday agreement is approaching, raising concerns about leaving the ECHR.
As we prepare to mark the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday agreement, will he recognise the extent to which the ECHR is integrated into that agreement, and the fact that leaving the convention would be a breach of his Government's obligations under the peace process?
No one is more committed to the integrity of the UK than this Government. I set out the position on the Bill of Rights earlier. We have made it clear that we would not rule out ever withdrawing from the ECHR in the future.
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Assessment & feedback
specific recognition of the ECHR's importance in the Good Friday Agreement
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
Former Prime Minister Sir John Major highlighted that leaving the ECHR would be akin to aligning with Belarus and Russia.
Does the Secretary of State agree with the former Prime Minister, Sir John Major, who reminded the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee earlier this month that, far from being some bureaucratic creation, the ECHR was championed by Churchill and his Conservative Government?
I do not think that many people take issue with the convention. Of course, it was negotiated at a very different time and place. The real issue has been the mission creep and the expanding and elastic interpretations of the ECHR since that time.
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Assessment & feedback
direct agreement or disagreement on Sir John Major's statement
Response accuracy
Q4
Partial Answer
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Context
Carmichael questioned if leaving the ECHR would breach commitments under the Good Friday agreement.
May I take the Secretary of State back to his answer to the hon. Member for West Dunbartonshire (Martin Docherty-Hughes)? If he is not ruling out ever leaving the convention, is he then not ruling out ever breaking the Good Friday agreement?
We are absolutely committed to the Good Friday agreement and the stability of Northern Ireland, which is why the efforts of the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and the Prime Minister are so important.
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Assessment & feedback
specific ruling out breaking the Good Friday Agreement by leaving ECHR
Response accuracy
Q5
Partial Answer
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Context
Reed pointed out that the Bill of Rights would restrict access to ECHR through British courts, conflicting with the Good Friday agreement.
The Secretary of State's proposed Bill of Rights will mandate British courts to override the European convention on human rights in certain circumstances and restrict access to convention rights through British courts. How will he achieve his plans without breaching the Good Friday agreement?
We can remain absolutely committed to the Good Friday agreement with the Bill of Rights, not least because—the hon. Gentleman would know this if he had bothered to read it—the ECHR is retained within a schedule to the Bill of Rights.
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Assessment & feedback
specific mechanism for achieving adherence while implementing Bill of Rights
Response accuracy
Q6
Partial Answer
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Context
Reed questioned whether there had been discussions with the Government of Ireland or US about the potential impact of the Bill.
What discussions has he had about this reckless plan with the Government of the Republic of Ireland or with the US Government, who have made it clear that any unilateral attempt to weaken convention rights in Northern Ireland would threaten a future US-UK trade deal?
The hon. Gentleman needs to read the Bill of Rights. It envisages that we will stay a state party to the ECHR, which is retained in a schedule, so all his other concerns melt away.
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Assessment & feedback
specific discussions with Ireland and US Governments
Response accuracy
Q7
Partial Answer
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Context
McDonald criticized the lack of clarity and commitment regarding future adherence to the ECHR.
Both the Prime Minister and the Deputy Prime Minister have repeatedly failed to rule out withdrawing from the convention in the longer term. What we need from the Justice Secretary is a full-throated defence of the convention and a commitment to the UK's long-term membership. Will he now deliver that unequivocal defence?
I am surprised to hear the SNP talk about extreme members of other parties. At the moment, the UK's single biggest human rights concern is the trade in misery we see with the small boats and illegal immigration across the country.
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Assessment & feedback
specific defense of long-term adherence to ECHR
Changing Subject
Response accuracy