Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Human Rights Framework Reform

Tuesday 24 May 2022 · 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 1 Partly answered 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The Government will replace the Human Rights Act 1998 with a Bill of Rights to be introduced in this parliamentary session.
  • The applicability of the Sewel convention will be assessed when the full Bill of Rights text is provided.
  • Reforms aim to address the high volume of successful human rights challenges to deportation orders by foreign national offenders.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Patricia Gibson SNP
Context

The Human Rights Act 1998 is under scrutiny for proposed reforms that aim to replace it with a Bill of Rights.

Question

What recent discussions has the Secretary had with Cabinet colleagues on proposed reforms to the UK's human rights framework?

Answer from Dominic Raab

As announced in Her Majesty's Gracious Speech, the Government will replace the Human Rights Act 1998 with a Bill of Rights to be introduced in this parliamentary Session.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific details about recent discussions with Cabinet colleagues were not provided

How: As Announced

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Q2 Patricia Gibson SNP
Scotland Standards & Ethics
Context

There is a recommendation from the Joint Committee on Human Rights to ensure that any changes to the Human Rights Act have the consent of the devolved Administrations.

Question

Will the Secretary follow last year's recommendation of the Joint Committee on Human Rights and ensure that there are no changes to the Human Rights Act—the provisions of which are embedded in the Scotland Act 1998—without the consent of the devolved Administrations? If that consent is withheld, what message does he think it will send to citizens across the devolved nations?

Answer from Dominic Raab

I thank the hon. Lady. As she knows, we will assess the question of the applicability of the Sewel convention when the full Bill of Rights text is provided. This reform will strengthen free speech but curb the ability of criminals to take advantage and abuse the system.

Not addressed: Did not directly address whether changes will be made without consent or message to citizens if withheld

How: We Will Assess, This Reform Will Strengthen

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Q3 Andrew Bridgen Con
Immigration Justice & Courts Standards & Ethics
Context

There is a high volume of successful challenges, on human rights grounds, of deportation orders by foreign national offenders.

Question

Does my right hon. Friend agree that reform of our human rights framework will help to prevent foreign national offenders from avoiding deportation and help to restore some public confidence in our human rights legislation?

Answer from Dominic Raab

My hon. Friend is right. The still high volume—around 70%—of successful challenges, on human rights grounds, of deportation orders by foreign national offenders is on article 8 grounds. That is exactly the kind of thing that our reforms will address and the public across the UK will welcome.

Answered
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Q4 Stuart McDonald SNP
Justice & Courts Standards & Ethics
Context

Cross-party MPs have found that the current Justice Secretary presided over a disaster in relation to Afghanistan, raising questions about his suitability for handling fundamental legislation.

Question

Given that cross-party MPs today found that the now Justice Secretary presided over a 'disaster and betrayal of our allies' and lack of seriousness in Afghanistan, why should he be allowed anywhere near such fundamental legislation?

Answer from Dominic Raab

I am surprised that the SNP has nothing to say on the issues at hand in relation to criminal justice, whether in Scotland or in the rest of the UK.

How: Surprised, Nothing To Say

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