Our human rights laws need reform. Under the current system those convicted of hurting their own partners and children have evaded deportation by claiming it would breach their right to family life. This has given human rights a bad name as these cases are brought by people, often offenders, who have shown absolutely no regard for the rights of others.
Our new Bill Of Rights, which will update and replace the Human Rights Act, will reinforce freedom of speech, while making sure that courts cannot interpret laws in ways that were never intended by Parliament. It will also introduce a new permission stage in court to prevent trivial legal claims wasting taxpayers’ money.
Speaking in the Commons earlier this week, I was pleased to learn that the Deputy Prime Minister is ensuring that our Bill of Rights will make sure the courts address responsibilities as well as rights. The courts will be able to take such responsibilities into consideration at the remedy stage of legal proceedings.
The reforms in this Bill will strengthen freedom of speech and the role of UK courts, while helping us to deport more foreign offenders and better protect the public from dangerous criminals.