The debate over whether defendants should be forced to attend their sentencing has intensified following the refusal of the notorious serial killer, Lucy Letby, and the killers of nine-year-old Olivia Pratt-Korbel. While there’s a strong public sentiment supporting mandatory court attendance for sentencing, especially in heinous crimes, concerns arise over the potential for this to infringe on human rights and disrupt court proceedings. It’s essential to ensure that the pursuit of justice does not compromise the foundational principles of human rights and liberties, even for those deemed the most reprehensible in society.
Tag Archives: justice
“How Can You Defend Criminals?” – The Question Asked Of Every Lawyer
The presumption of innocence is a foundational principle in justice systems, with every individual deemed innocent until proven guilty. Legal representation is crucial in ensuring fairness, preventing wrongful convictions, and upholding the integrity of the legal process, emphasising that justice should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their background or means.
Blown Sky High – Human Rights Implications Of Drones In Warfare
In the face of rising drone usage in modern warfare, communities in targeted regions live under the constant threat of strikes, resulting in widespread trauma and destabilisation. This article highlights incidents like the 2013 Yemen wedding convoy tragedy and the 2022 targeting of Abu Hamza al-Shuhail to underline the devastating human costs and challenges in drone strike accuracy. As drones increasingly integrate with artificial intelligence, sparking ethical concerns, there’s a growing call for international regulatory frameworks to ensure that warfare maintains respect for human rights and justice.
A Crisis Behind Bars – England and Wales’s Prisons and the Alarming Human Rights Implications
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.
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.
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.
Diversity’s Role in Safeguarding Human Rights
The lack of diversity in the UK judiciary poses a significant challenge to the effectiveness of the Human Rights Act 1998. Despite the country’s diverse society, the majority of judges are white men, with women and ethnic minorities significantly underrepresented. This lack of diversity can lead to a disconnect between the judiciary and the population it serves, potentially affecting the fairness and efficacy of the justice system, particularly in cases related to human rights.
The Power of Education in Promoting Human Rights – Empowering Generations for a Just Future
In this blog, we explore the importance of learning about human rights and the significance of teaching young people about these principles from a young age. Human rights are the fundamental freedoms and protections to which every individual is entitled, regardless of their background or circumstances.
Arrest Warrant Issued Against Putin: Understanding the ICC and Its Role in Ukraine
The article reports on the International Criminal Court (ICC) issuing arrest warrants for Russian President Vladimir Putin and the Russian Commissioner for Children’s Rights, Maria Lvova-Belova, in connection with the 2022 invasion of Ukraine. The ICC alleges that both are responsible for war crimes involving the unlawful deportation of children from Ukraine to Russia, with Putin allegedly bearing individual criminal responsibility. The article discusses the specific offences created by the Rome Statute that both Putin and Lvova-Belova are alleged to have committed, and the challenges in enforcing the warrants, given Putin’s position as President and Russia’s disregard for international law.
Legal Aid In Context
This article discusses the importance of legal aid and how it works in the UK. Providing fair legal representation to all individuals, regardless of their past or the nature of the crime they are accused of, is essential for ensuring a just legal system.
Nightingale Rights Initiative 