Thread by @Benjamin_P_Ward

A senior appointment by the UK government yesterday provides fresh evidence that it has the courts and human rights in its sights [THREAD]

The new Attorney General (the government’s top legal adviser) is on record recently arguing that the courts’ ability to hold executive to account should be restrained and expressing criticism of human rights. conservativehome.com/platform/2020/…

The appointment is part of the mounting evidence that UK government plans to go after human rights act that keeps us safe and the ability of the courts to intervene when the state tramples on people’s rights

Conservative Party’s December election manifesto calls for a Commission to look at Human Rights Act, judicial review & role of courts to ensure “a proper balance between the rights of individuals, our vital national security and effective government.” vote.conservatives.com/our-plan

After party won election, the Conservative government set out its priorities in Queen’s Speech. These include “the establishment of a Constitution, Democracy and Rights Commission.”
gov.uk/government/spe…

That may sound innocuous, but when we consider what ministers and government sources have said about the courts and our rights, it is clear that it is anything but

Government sources have briefed the intention is to curb the powers of Supreme Court, which don’t forget ruled last September that the government’s decision to suspend Parliament was unlawful

There is evidence--including comments by the outgoing Attorney General earlier this week--the government wants to change the judicial appointments process to give it greater say in how senior judges are appointed mirror.co.uk/news/politics/…

Government interference in judicial appointments been a key tactic by the governments in Poland and Hungary to undermine judicial independence and chill dissent

This week Prime Minister’s office argued that decision by courts to block deportations of people who had been denied access to justice showed that curbing power of the courts was needed
itv.com/news/2020-02-1…

Recall too that Conservative Party leaders have previously expressed a desire to replace the Human Rights Act, or even leave the Council of Europe, Europe’s human rights club, altogether
express.co.uk/news/uk/275087…

All of which underscores why the appointment of the new Attorney General a worry development

If UK government is serious about looking at the constitution in ways that don’t trample our rights or weaken checks on the executive, it should build on base of existing rights, ensure a cross-party process and consult closely with civil society on its plans

Having independent courts that can protect people when the executive goes too far, and human rights laws that set out our basic freedoms, are vital to our democracy. They need to be defended. /ENDS