Justice written question – answered at on 12 October 2011.
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice
(1) what assessment he has made of the Bill of Rights Commission's interim proposals on the reform of the European Court of Human Rights; and which recommendations from the Commission the Government plans to accept;
(2) what the Government's plans are for reforming (a) the European Court of Human Rights and (b) the European Convention on Human Rights; and if he will make a statement.
The Government welcome the Commission's interim advice on the reform of the European Court of Human Rights.
Our top priority when we take over the chairmanship of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe will be to deliver a key stage of the reform process that has been ongoing for some years. The Court must focus on the most important cases and have proper regard to the judgment of national Parliaments and courts. It must operate more effectively and efficiently as a proper safeguard against human rights abuses.
The way the Court works is set out in the Convention, so reform could involve changes to the Convention only if all 47 member states of the Council of Europe agree to it. We will be negotiating and seeking to agree a package of reforms with all member states during our chairmanship, and will take into account the recommendations in the Commission's advice.
The Government will inform the House of their full plans for the UK chairmanship of the Council of Europe in due course.
Yes1 person thinks so
No0 people think not
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