[Ely Announce] Bill of Rights : Church of England's Response

[Bridget Nichols]

NEWS from the Church of England

 

PR 91/11

 

For immediate release

 

22/11/2011

 

 

Church response gives a clear 'no' to UK Bill of Rights proposals

 

The Mission and Public Affairs Council of the Church of England has
published its Response to the Discussion Paper from the Commission on a
UK Bill of Rights.

 

Offering a clear "no" in answer to the question, "Do we need a UK Bill
of Rights?", the response goes on to argue that a UK Bill of Rights
would either re-state the provisions of the European Convention on Human
Rights, in which case it would be superfluous, or would add to them, in
which case the additional rights and obligations would not be binding in
the same sense as the Convention and their status in UK law would be
unclear. 

 

If on the other hand the Bill attempted to restrict or abolish
Convention rights, it would be incompatible with the UK's international
obligations, the response argues; it is also unclear what specific
additional rights would be included in a UK Bill. 

 

The response comments that the parties in the coalition Government have
diametrically opposed attitudes to human rights, and therefore the
proposal does not offer a coherent basis for legislating on such an
important subject.

 

Then the response offers five considerations in answer to the question
"Having regard to our terms of reference, are there any other views
which you would like to put forward at this stage?". One point suggests
that "some of the concerns driving the demand for a UK Bill of Rights
would be met by appropriate reforms of the operation of the European
Court of Human Rights", the final point adding: "A better way forward
might be increased use by the European Court of the 'margin of
appreciation', whereby variations in the application of the Convention
are allowed in view of the diverse history, traditions and institutions
of different states."

 

The full four-page response is available online here:
http://www.churchofengland.org/media/1362001/ukbillofrightsresponse.pdf
<http://www.churchofengland.org/media/1362001/ukbillofrightsresponse.pdf
>   

ENDS

 

Notes to editors

 

The Mission and Public Affairs Council of the Church of England is the
body responsible for overseeing research and comment on social and
political issues on behalf of the Church. The Council comprises a
representative group of bishops, clergy and lay people with interest and
expertise in the relevant areas, and reports to the General Synod
through the Archbishops' Council. 

 

Information

 

Howard Dobson, 020 7898 1456