News

April 2012

Building on Brighton: JUSTICE’s Director of Human Rights Policy reflects on the Brighton Declaration

In an article published today by Public Service Europe, JUSTICE’s Director of Human Rights Policy welcomes the focus on national implementation in the Brighton Declaration.

JUSTICE initial response to Brighton negotiations

As States prepare to finalise the Brighton Declaration, tomorrow, the UK makes an important commitment to the future of the Court and the Convention.

States doing better on rights at home must be the goal at Brighton: JUSTICE Human Rights Director

Today, JUSTICE tells Times readers that the Brighton conference on the Strasbourg Court must be about national implementation, not beating up a system that has been key to raising standards across Europe.

JUSTICE Director of Human Rights Policy on reform of the Strasbourg Court

In advance of the Brighton Conference on the future of the European Court of Human Rights, JUSTICE’s Human Rights Director suggests Guardian readers not believe everything they read about the Court and human rights. Will the conference be a missed opportunity to improve States’ records on human rights standards at home?

JUSTICE urges states to treat UK European Court proposals with caution

Marking the publication of the latest joint NGO statement as proposals on the draft Brighton declaration on the future of the European Court of Human Rights come to a close, JUSTICE calls on States to focus on better national implementation of human rights standards over measures likely to undermine the long-term future of the European Court of Human Rights.

'No case for secret courts': JUSTICE welcomes highly critical conclusions of parliament's human rights committee.

Today Parliament's Joint Committee on Human Rights publishes a damning report critical of the Government's Justice and Security Green Paper.

March 2012

JUSTICE and other leading NGOs criticise UK proposals for Strasbourg reform

This week, as diplomats gather in Strasbourg to begin negotiations on the future of the European Convention on Human Rights, JUSTICE – together with other leading international NGOs – publishes its critical response to the Draft Brighton Declaration.

JUSTICE calls for caution on the UK proposals for Strasbourg reform: Letter to The Times

Roger Smith, Director of Justice, wrote to The Times, on Monday 5 March 2012, urging diplomatic leaders to exercise caution over the proposed reforms, in light of the possible long-term impact of the proposed changes on the rule of law and the commitment to the protection of universal human rights standards in Europe and beyond.

February 2012

Ministers should decide on recommendations not participate in process

The Lord Chancellor should keep out of the process of judicial appointment until names are advanced by the Judicial Appointments Commission, JUSTICE said today in its response to a Ministry of Justice consultation.

Supreme Court ruling welcomed by leading Mental Health and Human Rights Organisations

Hospitals must ensure that they take appropriate steps to prevent voluntary psychiatric patients from taking their own lives, according to a landmark judgment handed down today by the Supreme Court.

JUSTICE welcomes inspector's call for reform of undercover policing

JUSTICE welcomes the recommendation of Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary, Sir Denis O'Connor, that the use of undercover surveillance must be subject to prior oversight.

January 2012

Torture is no small claim: JUSTICE responds to wide publicity for PM’s Strasbourg speech

A strong European Court of Human Rights is essential and the Strasbourg Court has played a major role in advancing civil liberties and human rights at home and in Europe.

JUSTICE reacts to Othman v UK (Abu Qatada)

JUSTICE welcomes judgment of the European Court of Human Rights that return to face trial on the basis of torture evidence would be unlawful and expresses regret on the conflicting judgment of the Court on the Memorandum of Understanding between Jordan and the UK.

Secret evidence in civil proceedings unnecessary, unfair and unjustified: JUSTICE responds to Government consultation on Justice and Security Green Paper

JUSTICE has published its response to the Government’s Green Paper on Justice and Security.

UK proposals for reform of the European Court of Human Rights would fundamentally undermine the protection of human rights in Europe

JUSTICE – as part of a coalition of major UK and international civil society organisations – today publishes its detailed analysis of current proposals for the reform of the European Court of Human Rights.

JUSTICE calls on the Prime Minister to show "moral leadership" on torture inquiry

Abdel Hakim Belhaj, now head of the Tripoli Military Council, today announced his decision not to appear before the Government’s Detainee Inquiry, led by Sir Peter Gibson.