On 1 July we’re running a Guardian Live event to discuss the Human Rights Act. The panel will include: Simon Hughes, former deputy leader of the Liberal Democrats; Martin Howe, QC and prominent advocate for a British Bill of Rights; Bella Sankey, director of policy, Liberty and Lord Blair, former commissioner of the Metropolitan Police. Anne Perkins will chair the event.
The Human Rights Act is derided by its critics as a “criminal’s charter” since it was introduced by Tony Blair in 1998, the act’s days looked numbered when David Cameron was returned to Downing St in May with a Tory majority.
But within days of his victory, the manifesto promise to scrap the legislation and replace it with a new Bill of Rights had become dangerously divisive for his party. In the face of a brewing backbench rebellion and public opposition from prominent figures such as former attorney general Dominic Grieve, the commitment was promptly delayed to a period of consultation.
We want to hear what you think. Should we keep the Human Rights Act or should we replace it with a new Bill of Rights? What are the arguments for scrapping it? Do landmark cases such as that of Abu Qatada prove the act is open to abuse? Does it enshrine European judicial overreach? And would a British exit from the ECHR trigger the end of its supremacy across Europe? What would happen to privacy and protest rights? And what would a new Bill of Rights mean for law enforcement?
You can share your views by clicking on the blue “contribute” buttons on this article. You can also use the GuardianWitness smartphone app or the Guardian app and search for “GuardianWitness assignments”.
We will share some of your views on a screen at the beginning of the live event.
- Guardian Live is our series of events, debates and interviews exclusively for Guardian members. Find out what else is coming up and how you can sign up for membership.
- GuardianWitness is the home of readers’ content on the Guardian. Contribute your video, pictures and stories, and browse news, reviews and creations submitted by others. Posts will be reviewed prior to publication on GuardianWitness, and the best pieces will feature on the Guardian site