Happy Birthday to the Human Rights Act.

Today marks the 15th anniversary of the Human Rights Act (HRA) as UK law.

It’s a piece of legislation that has helped many seek justice and correct wrongs. Yet there is a chance it won’t have another anniversary as the government seeks to repeal it and replace it with a Bill of Rights. It is likely that whatever replaces the HRA will be weaker in its provisions, narrower in the rights it affords and less universalistic in who those rights are afforded to.

The Human Rights Act has done many incredible things which you can read about here and here

The Act has helped elderly and disabled people receive the care they need to live with dignity; it has ensured that hospitals respect the rights of the mentally ill; it has obliged the state to protect us from crime; stopped the state from listening to our phone calls, recognised female genital mutilation as torture and much, much more. Fundamentally, it is about giving a voice to the voiceless.

Join us and many others at René Cassin and get involved with the campaign to protect the Human Rights Act.