04.10.11
Proposals to axe rights under Article 8
Home Secretary Theresa May could have migrant criminals’ rights removed so they would no longer be able to avoid deportation by claiming their right to a family life – Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights.
In a speech to the Conservative Party conference today, May will say that changes to the implementation Article 8, which has been used successfully by over 100 foreign criminals and illegal immigrants claiming a ‘right to family life’ to stay in the UK, is necessary to avoid its abuse.
It could cause further clashes between the Conservatives, who wish to replace the Human Rights Act with a British Bill of Rights and the Liberal Democrats, who are strong supporters of the Act. Both May and Prime Minister David Cameron have stated that they are committed to replacing the Act.
Home Office sources state that Article 8 is not an ‘absolute right’ and can be legitimately interfered with where it is in the public interest to do so, either for public protection or to protect the British economy.
The commission set up to examine the future of human rights legislation is due to report later this year.
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