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Ad campaign aims to rally support to save Human Rights Act Ad campaign aims to rally support to save Human Rights Act
(about 5 hours later)
The battle to save the Human Rights Act takes to the streets this week with crowdfunded billboards focusing on those who have used the legislation to obtain justice.The battle to save the Human Rights Act takes to the streets this week with crowdfunded billboards focusing on those who have used the legislation to obtain justice.
The advertising campaign, which will also target the Surrey constituency of the justice secretary, Michael Gove, aims to broaden popular appreciation of the benefits of the act that the government has pledged to scrap.The advertising campaign, which will also target the Surrey constituency of the justice secretary, Michael Gove, aims to broaden popular appreciation of the benefits of the act that the government has pledged to scrap.
The posters feature nine people who have brought legal challenges under the act, including Catherine Smith, whose son, Jason, died of heatstroke while a soldier in Iraq. She relied on the Human Rights Act to discover what happened and ensure better protection for other soldiers.The posters feature nine people who have brought legal challenges under the act, including Catherine Smith, whose son, Jason, died of heatstroke while a soldier in Iraq. She relied on the Human Rights Act to discover what happened and ensure better protection for other soldiers.
Short films of the people involved in the campaign are also being released. The first is of Smith. Her legal success has proved controversial, intensifying demands from some Conservative MPs for the act to be abolished.Short films of the people involved in the campaign are also being released. The first is of Smith. Her legal success has proved controversial, intensifying demands from some Conservative MPs for the act to be abolished.
Related: UN torture expert says UK plan to scrap Human Rights Act is ‘dangerous’Related: UN torture expert says UK plan to scrap Human Rights Act is ‘dangerous’
Gove is in charge of drafting proposals for a new bill of rights due to published later this autumn. The government’s timetable for reform is slipping amid contradictory rumours about whether or not it will result in the UK quitting the European court of human rights in Strasbourg. There was no significant mention of the bill at the Conservative party conference.Gove is in charge of drafting proposals for a new bill of rights due to published later this autumn. The government’s timetable for reform is slipping amid contradictory rumours about whether or not it will result in the UK quitting the European court of human rights in Strasbourg. There was no significant mention of the bill at the Conservative party conference.
The Act for the Act campaign is placing posters near tube stations in London, on buses in Manchester and alongside motorways. The campaign raised £55,000 during a four-week crowdfunding initiative in May and June 2015.The Act for the Act campaign is placing posters near tube stations in London, on buses in Manchester and alongside motorways. The campaign raised £55,000 during a four-week crowdfunding initiative in May and June 2015.
It was the idea of two barristers from Doughty Street chambers in London, Caoilfhionn Gallagher and Martha Spurrier, and a legal journalist, Fiona Bawdon.It was the idea of two barristers from Doughty Street chambers in London, Caoilfhionn Gallagher and Martha Spurrier, and a legal journalist, Fiona Bawdon.
As well as Smith, other people featured on the posters include:As well as Smith, other people featured on the posters include:
Martina Brincat Baines said: “I thought the Human Rights Act was for other people. I didn’t think it was anything to do with me. But when my daughter Kesia died, I suddenly needed the Human Rights Act. I was able to use it to get the law changed to make sure other vulnerable young people are better protected in future – and that’s why my family is wholeheartedly supporting this campaign.”Martina Brincat Baines said: “I thought the Human Rights Act was for other people. I didn’t think it was anything to do with me. But when my daughter Kesia died, I suddenly needed the Human Rights Act. I was able to use it to get the law changed to make sure other vulnerable young people are better protected in future – and that’s why my family is wholeheartedly supporting this campaign.”
The campaign asks supporters to join the people featured in the posters in signing a letter to the justice secretary asking him to save the act.The campaign asks supporters to join the people featured in the posters in signing a letter to the justice secretary asking him to save the act.
Labour’s justice spokesman, Andy Slaughter, said: “The Human Rights Act protects many of the freedoms which we all take for granted – the right to life, to a fair trial, to protection from torture, and many more.
“Protecting the act means standing up for the British values which it embodies and has done for 15 years. The Tories’ proposals to walk away from the very same international human rights framework which Britain helped set up would risk giving the green light to dictators and despots worldwide to do the same.
That’s why I’m supporting the Act for the Act campaign.”