Tory plans to scrap the Human Rights Act have caused outrage – but how important is the legislation to you?
How important is the Human Rights Act?
- It's vital to our civil liberties
- 96
- It's not that important to me
- 1
- It's a scourge that gets in the way of the UK protecting law-abiding citizens
- 5
- Never heard of it
- 1
Battle lines have been drawn over Tory threats to scrap the Human Rights Act.
Prime Minister David Cameron, emboldened by his newly won Commons majority, has tasked justice secretary Michael Gove with abolishing the legislation.
The act came into force in 2000 to incorporate into UK law the rights contained in the European Convention on Human Rights.
It means that redress for any breaches of the convention can be sought in the UK courts, without the need to go to the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg.
Some claim the act gives succour to criminals who want to vote or look at hardcore porn in jail. They say it gives Europe too much sway in our justice system and back proposals to replace it with a so far hazily defined British Bill of rights.
The left has decried crticism against the act as propaganda, tabloid distortions or outright fabrications – and say dismantling it will lead to a serious erosion of our civil liberties.
Civil society groups, meanwhile, are campaigning heavily against abolition.
The argument is unlikely to subside before a vote is taken in the Commons. That’s why we’re asking you to contribute to the debate by taking part in our poll and telling us:
How important is the Human Rights Act?
Remember to leave a comment to explain your vote.
