Ultimately, this comes down to a choice. Either we support the notion that governments, officials and others abide by law that aims to guarantee some basic level of equality and human dignity for each and every one of us. Or we support the notion that governments, officials and others may (even should) govern our lives according to power - in the interests and preferences of whoever may be best placed at any time to grab and retain it. Respect for human rights certainly does raise challenging questions from time to time, and - albeit far less than some political commentators may suggest - those questions can arise in truly controversial circumstances where the very real interests of each, many or some of us are potentially at stake in some ways that can be conflicting. However, disrespecting human rights doesn't remove challenging questions or circumstances - rather it permits these to be resolved in ways that simply ignore the very real interests of most or many of us in favour of interests (often not all that intrinsically important) of people with power. And those in the UK who suggest that Parliament can be the guarantor of our legal rights (of whatever nature) rather than Courts are not only fundamentally misunderstanding the UK constitutional system, they're fundamentally misunderstanding the capacity of Parliament.
JUSTICE has briefed all MPs and Peers on the importance of the UK's membership of the European Convention on Human Rights (the "ECHR"). We urge all those who support the ECHR to make their voices heard and ensure the importance of membership is more widely recognised. The UK played a significant role in drafting the ECHR and has a leading role within the Council of Europe. Only two countries - Russia and Greece when it was a military dictatorship - have ever left the ECHR. Withdrawal from the ECHR would: (i) endanger the Good Friday Agreement and Windsor Framework (ii) destabilise devolution; and (iii) harm international security cooperation. The ECHR has significantly strengthened human rights protections across Europe and in the UK. There has never been a more important time for the UK to lead in the Council of Europe - supporting and promoting democracy, human rights and the rule of law across the continent.
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10mo"...fundamentally misunderstanding the capacity of Parliament" Amongst many great points you make in your post, therein you hit the nail on the head. All I would add are the words "and will" after capacity. Self-interest and rhetoric increasingly seem to be far more important than basic humanity. The thought that we, as a nation, may withdraw from the ECHR not only scares me, it shames me. You are so right when you say "disrespecting human rights doesn't remove challenging questions or circumstances - rather it permits these to be resolved in ways that simply ignore the very real interests of most or many of us in favour of interests (often not all that intrinsically important) of people with power" The question I have on the back of that is this: how can we who are not directly involved in these discussions and the fight that accompanies them best serve and support those who are, so that the very real interests of most of us are not ignored?