HUMAN rights laws are having a “negative and dangerous” impact in the UK, a new study reveals.
Former Home Secretary Lord Howard said it is time for Parliament to reassert its responsibilities after “continual expansion of the judiciary”.
Sir Tony Blair introduced the human rights legislation in 1998 but many critics say it has hampered the crackdown on small boat crossings on sending migrants to Rwanda.
The move 25 years ago ensured the European Convention on Human Rights was enshrined in domestic law.
But critics point to cases including the Court of Appeal ruling police couldn’t enter a dangerous, convicted paedophile’s property to look at their internet use due to an unlawful breach of privacy.
The research claims it’s harder to arrest or convict protestors for obstructing highways under the current laws.
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The deportation of a violent criminal to his home country of Zimbabwe was also blocked due to it having an inadequate health service.
The Policy Exchange paper says the laws have distorted government decision-making and undermined a “serious challenge” to our constitution.
Lord Howard said: “It is past time for Parliament to take seriously its responsibilities and to restore the constitution.”
He added: “I have seen the continual expansion of judicial power in our constitution – at the expense of the rightful power of Parliament and the electorate.”
Sir Patrick Elias, former Lord Justice of Appeal, said: “The focus on human rights in English law following the Human Rights Act has undoubtedly increased the power and influence both of the ECHR and the English judiciary.”
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