Question: Evaluate the view that we can no longer be assured
that rights are protected adequately in the UK
Paper: 1
Introduction
Define – HRA
Debate – HRA not enshrined into law/protected by judges. Accountability
via elections means the government does listen to public mood when
limiting rights.
Direction – COVID highlighted how easily our civil liberties can be limited
but isn’t a fair representation as public mood was generally in line with
government agenda.
Paragraph 1
Statement Evidence
Point HRA has limitations. Acts have to Parliamentary
be compatible with it and sovereignty HRA is not
SCOTUK can raise if they are not entrenched (equal to all
BUT government does not need other Parliamentary
to make changes. acts)
Counterpoin Increase in Judicial review and 4240 in 2000
t successful challenges. Rights 15600 in 2013
based culture. Retired Ghurkha
soldiers allowed to
settle in UK (08)
Evaluation Parliament is unlikely to ignore SCOTUK advice due to
public disapproval and uproar.
SCOTUK unelected – can we trust/rely on them to uphold
rights? Where is the accountability if they do not uphold our
rights?
Paragraph 2
Statement Evidence
Point Protects the ‘bad people not the Abu Qatada case:
good people’. Conservatives information acquired via
want it replaced by a ‘British Bill torture, trial in Jordan
of Rights’.
Counterpoin The UK has a relatively strong Equalities and Human
t institutional framework for Rights Commission, and
protecting rights, which extends the Joint Committee on
beyond the courts. Embedded Human Rights in
into daily life and Westminster. Parliament
Evaluation Scrutiny within Parliament ensures comprehensive
protection for all not just ‘bad people’. Freedom of
Information Act 2000 and the Equality Act 2010, play an
that rights are protected adequately in the UK
Paper: 1
Introduction
Define – HRA
Debate – HRA not enshrined into law/protected by judges. Accountability
via elections means the government does listen to public mood when
limiting rights.
Direction – COVID highlighted how easily our civil liberties can be limited
but isn’t a fair representation as public mood was generally in line with
government agenda.
Paragraph 1
Statement Evidence
Point HRA has limitations. Acts have to Parliamentary
be compatible with it and sovereignty HRA is not
SCOTUK can raise if they are not entrenched (equal to all
BUT government does not need other Parliamentary
to make changes. acts)
Counterpoin Increase in Judicial review and 4240 in 2000
t successful challenges. Rights 15600 in 2013
based culture. Retired Ghurkha
soldiers allowed to
settle in UK (08)
Evaluation Parliament is unlikely to ignore SCOTUK advice due to
public disapproval and uproar.
SCOTUK unelected – can we trust/rely on them to uphold
rights? Where is the accountability if they do not uphold our
rights?
Paragraph 2
Statement Evidence
Point Protects the ‘bad people not the Abu Qatada case:
good people’. Conservatives information acquired via
want it replaced by a ‘British Bill torture, trial in Jordan
of Rights’.
Counterpoin The UK has a relatively strong Equalities and Human
t institutional framework for Rights Commission, and
protecting rights, which extends the Joint Committee on
beyond the courts. Embedded Human Rights in
into daily life and Westminster. Parliament
Evaluation Scrutiny within Parliament ensures comprehensive
protection for all not just ‘bad people’. Freedom of
Information Act 2000 and the Equality Act 2010, play an
