England and Wales’s prison system faces severe overcrowding and deteriorating conditions, with many facilities failing to provide humane treatment, despite warnings from various oversight bodies over the years. This crisis, marked by a rise in deaths, self-harm, and assaults, indicates a potential breach of international human rights standards, emphasising an urgent need for systemic reform that prioritises inmate safety, rehabilitation, and human dignity.
Category Archives: Commentary
Modern Human Rights – Is It Time to Accept Polygamous Marriages?
While the European Convention on Human Rights guarantees the right to marry, the legal recognition of multiple marriages remains contentious. The debate involves balancing individual autonomy with societal cohesion and concerns about potential harms such as gender inequality and exploitation. Despite recent reviews and consultations, there are no immediate plans for legal changes in the UK, but the recognition of foreign polyamorous relationships adds complexity to the discussion. Upholding human rights, gender equality, and individual autonomy while addressing potential imbalances and exploitation is central to the ongoing discourse.
Why It’s Imperative To Continue To Have Pride As A Protest
The UK’s Pride events in August have regained their protest character this year, highlighting ongoing challenges for the LGBTQ+ community. Despite progress in legislation, recent incidents such as disruptions by activists and the persistence of anti-trans rhetoric underscore the need for continued advocacy and protection of LGBTQ+ rights.
Navigating the Illegal Migration Act and its Implications for Human Rights
The recently passed Illegal Migration Act in the UK has sparked heated debates and concerns about potential human rights violations. The Act aims to address unlawful migration but has been criticised for likely contradicting international human rights and refugee law. The Act’s compatibility with the European Convention on Human Rights has also been questioned, leading to discussions about the UK’s commitment to upholding human rights standards globally. Striking a balance between border control measures and human rights protection remains a critical challenge for the UK as it moves forward with implementing the Act.
Clearing the Air – Understanding the Clean Air (Human Rights) Bill
The Clean Air (Human Rights) Bill, introduced by the Green Party in the UK, aims to establish a human right to breathe clean air by addressing air pollution and promoting sustainable practices. It seeks to transition to cleaner energy sources, impact industrial manufacturing, and transform the transportation industry. The bill proposes the establishment of an independent body, the Citizen’s Commission for Clean Air, to monitor and enforce clean air standards. With the bill awaiting its second reading in the House of Commons, it holds the potential to pave the way for a greener future in the UK.
Too Young To Be A Criminal?
This blog post explores the dilemma of how society should address cases where children become perpetrators of alarming crimes. It discusses different perspectives on the Age of Criminal Responsibility (ACR), examining arguments for both lowering and raising the ACR, as well as alternative approaches such as restorative justice practices and education/prevention programs. The post emphasises the importance of finding a balance between accountability and rehabilitation for young offenders while creating a fair and just system.
Strike-Breaking Ruled Unlawful, Unfair and Irrational by High Court
The High Court has today ruled that the government repeal of Regulation 7, which prevented agency workers being used to break strikes, is unlawful, unfair and irrational. In a scathing judgment, Mr Justice Linden held that the governments repeal could not stand. The right to strike is a fundamental right and this ruling reinforces the fact that the courts will not stand by and let the government decimate this important freedom.
Fanning The Flames Against Free Speech – UN “Qur’an Vote” Sparks Debate
This blog delves into the controversial adoption of Resolution A/HRC/53/L.23 by the United Nations Human Rights Council. The article explores the tensions between protecting free speech and countering religious hatred, with a focus on the burning of religious texts as a form of expression. It highlights the concerns raised by Western countries regarding the potential impact on free speech while emphasising the need to address religious intolerance and violence.
Breaking News – ‘Child Pornography’ Is Illegal
This article discusses the age of consent and the legal implications of possessing indecent images of individuals under 18 in the United Kingdom. It emphasises the need to protect children from exploitation and highlights the importance of education and support in the digital age where such images can easily circulate and cause harm.
Why Are We Ignoring The Uyghur Genocide?
This blog sheds light on the ongoing genocide of the Uyghur people, a Muslim minority group in China. It reveals the Chinese Communist Party’s campaign of internment camps, human rights violations, and cultural suppression targeting the Uyghurs. Despite overwhelming evidence, the international community’s lack of action and silence on this issue is examined, questioning the moral and political paralysis that allows this atrocity to continue. This powerful blog calls for awareness, action, and the recognition of human rights as fundamental values.
Nightingale Rights Initiative 