Equality and Human Rights Commission

During the past year, the previous Government and opposition Parties in Westminster examined the framework of human rights legislation in the UK, and developed alternative models for human rights protection.

In March 2009, the then Government launched a Green Paper to consult with the public on creating a Bill of Rights and responsibilities for Britain. Although the consultation is now closed, their proposal stated that they would not amend the nature and extent of protection provided by the Human Rights Act (HRA) but could build on the HRA by including express reference to responsibilities and new rights such as economic and social rights and children's rights.

Prior to the election, the Conservative Party also made a series of public statements that provided some indications on the key elements of their position relating to a Bill. They stated that they would replace the HRA with a British Bill of Rights and Responsibilities which would place greater emphasis on responsibilities and that they would amend and reduce the scope of the mechanisms relating to human rights protection. No commitment was made by the Conservatives to retain the current level of protection and mechanisms under the HRA.

The Liberal Democrat Party proposed a 'Freedom Bill' which they said would 'restore and protect our most important liberties'.

As an accredited A-status National Human Rights Institution, the EHRC has an obligation to protect and defend human rights legislation and to work to expand human rights protections in Great Britain. In light of this, we have:

• Developed a series of principles that we believe must underpin all discussions around changes to the Human Rights Act
• Conducted research with the Metropolitan University of London about how bills of rights have been developed in other countries and the process that we believe should be followed
• Responded to the previous Government’s Green Paper on a proposed Bill of Rights and Responsibilities
• Hosted a debate involving the three main political Parties in Westminster to discuss their proposals