The threat to our human rights: the repeal of the Human Rights Act 1998

Abstract

Human rights were introduced into the United Kingdom law over two decades ago. They were, it was said, brought home. The Human Rights Act 1998 (HRA) created binding and justiciable human rights for everyone within the jurisdiction of the country. UK courts became the venues for arguments based on human rights for the very first time. The HRA gave effect within UK law to the Council of Europe's European Convention on Human Rights 1950 (ECHR). Human rights were brought home in the sense that British lawyers and politicians played an important part in developing and writing the ECHR.