Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

International Treaties on Human Rights: Obligations

Tuesday 29 June 2021 · 4 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The Secretary of State stated that the UK upholds its legal obligations under international treaties on human rights, despite disagreement with the Joint Committee on Human Rights' analysis.
  • The Secretary of State expressed strong disagreement with the UN special rapporteur's independent view on the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill.
  • The Secretary of State affirmed principles of equality, inclusion, and diversity, while noting that balance is necessary when conflicts arise between different groups.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Alan Brown SNP
Justice & Courts Democracy & Elections
Context

The MP is concerned about the UK's compliance with international human rights treaties. He mentions that a Joint Committee on Human Rights report has criticised the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill for restricting peaceful protest in ways inconsistent with human rights protections.

Question

What steps have you taken to ensure the UK upholds its legal obligations under international treaties on human rights? The Joint Committee on Human Rights recently concluded that the Department's Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill will restrict peaceful protest 'in a way that we believe is inconsistent with our rights.' Does the Secretary of State reconsider his assertion that the Bill is compliant with the European convention on human rights?

Answer from Robert Buckland

I am happy to repeat the declaration made on the face of the Bill: its provisions are indeed compatible with the convention. I appreciate the work of the Joint Committee, but I disagree with their analysis regarding the balance between freedom of expression and maintaining order.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Secretary of State did not reconsider his assertion that the Bill is compliant with human rights conventions despite criticism from the Joint Committee on Human Rights.

How: Disagreement With Analysis Without Concrete Changes

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Q2 Alan Brown SNP
Crime & Law Enforcement Justice & Courts Democracy & Elections
Context

The MP challenges the Secretary of State's view on the relevance of international treaties, citing a statement by the UN special rapporteur that the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill runs 'counter to the human rights direction' that the UK should be following.

Question

In light of recent dismissals of international treaties, how relevant is the opinion of the UN special rapporteur who stated last week that the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill runs counter to the human rights direction the UK needs to follow? Is the Secretary of State embarrassed by this?

Answer from Robert Buckland

We are entitled to disagree with the rapporteur's independent view strongly.

Not addressed: The Secretary of State did not address whether he is embarrassed by the UN special rapporteur's statement and instead maintained his disagreement without providing additional context or justification.

How: Maintaining Disagreement, No Further Explanation

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Q3 Anne McLaughlin SNP
Agriculture & Rural Affairs Women & Equalities
Context

The MP references the hon. Member for Ashfield who reportedly branded Travellers as thieves and criticises this stance. She highlights that the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill is seen by the Gypsy, Roma and Traveller community as a threat to their traditional way of life.

Question

Will the Secretary of State join in condemning the hon. Member for Ashfield who branded Travellers as thieves? The Bill is described as 'the single biggest threat' to their traditional way of life. Does he want to eradicate their nomadic lifestyle?

Answer from Robert Buckland

I have not seen the reported remarks by my hon. Friend but maintain principles of equality, inclusion, and diversity; however, interests can conflict between groups and balance is necessary.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Secretary of State did not directly condemn the hon. Member for Ashfield's comments or acknowledge that the Bill may threaten the Gypsy, Roma, and Traveller community's way of life.

How: Maintaining Balance, Disagreeing With Reported Remarks Without Specifics

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Q4 Anne McLaughlin SNP
Crime & Law Enforcement Community Security Standards & Ethics
Context

The MP raises concerns about the impact of the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill on the rights and freedoms of the Gypsy, Roma, and Traveller communities. She cites criticisms from these groups regarding the potential erasure of their nomadic lifestyles.

Question

Does the Secretary of State want to eradicate the traditional way of life of the Gypsy, Roma, and Traveller community as suggested by the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill? Does he agree with hon. Member for Ashfield's comments branding Travellers as thieves?

Answer from Robert Buckland

I uphold principles of equality, inclusion, and diversity but note conflicts may arise between different groups; balance is maintained through legislation.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Secretary of State did not directly address the impact on the Gypsy, Roma, and Traveller community's way of life or confirm/reject remarks about them being branded as thieves.

How: Upholding Principles, Noting Conflict Without Specifics

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