| UNITED KINGDOM United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland Joined United Nations: 24 October 1945 Human Rights as assured by their constitution Click here Updated 09/24/10 |
| CAPITAL |
| POPULATION |
| CHIEF OF STATE |
| SELECTION PROCESS |
London
61,113,205 (July 2010 est.)
David William Donald Cameron
Prime Minister since 11 May 2010
Prime Minister since 11 May 2010
The monarchy is hereditary
Next scheduled election: None
Next scheduled election: None
HEAD OF GOVERNMENT
SELECTION PROCESS
Following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or
the leader of the majority coalition is usually appointed Prime
Minister by the Monarch Last election: 05 May 2010
Next scheduled election: 2015
the leader of the majority coalition is usually appointed Prime
Minister by the Monarch Last election: 05 May 2010
Next scheduled election: 2015
| DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS |
| ETHNIC GROUPS |
White (of which English 83.6%, Scottish 8.6%, Welsh 4.9%, Northern Irish 2.9%) 92.1%, black 2%, Indian 1.8%, Pakistani
1.3%, mixed 1.2%, other 1.6% (2001 census)
1.3%, mixed 1.2%, other 1.6% (2001 census)
| RELIGIONS |
Christian (Anglican, Roman Catholic, Presbyterian, Methodist) 71.6%, Muslim 2.7%, Hindu 1%, other 1.6%, unspecified or none 23.1%
(2001 census)
(2001 census)
| GOVERNMENT STRUCTURE |
Constitutional monarchy with 47 boroughs, 36 counties, 29 London boroughs, 12 cities and boroughs, 10 districts, 12 cities, 3 royal
boroughs; Legal system is based on common law tradition with early Roman and modern continental influences; has nonbinding
judicial review of Acts of Parliament under the Human Rights Act of 1998; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations
Executive: The monarchy is hereditary; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition
is usually the prime minister; elections last held 5 May 2010 (next to be held by May 2015)
Legislative: bicameral Parliament consists of House of Lords (618 seats; consisting of approximately 500 life peers, 92 hereditary
peers, and 26 clergy) and House of Commons (646 seats since 2005 elections; members are elected by popular vote to serve
five-year terms unless the House is dissolved earlier)
elections: House of Lords - no elections (note - in 1999, as provided by the House of Lords Act, elections were held in the House
of Lords to determine the 92 hereditary peers who would remain there; elections are held only as vacancies in the hereditary
peerage arise); House of Commons - Last Held: 05 May 2010 (next to be held in 2015)
Judicial: House of Lords (highest court of appeal; several Lords of Appeal in Ordinary are appointed by the monarch for life);
Supreme Courts of England, Wales, and Northern Ireland (comprising the Courts of Appeal, the High Courts of Justice, and the
Crown Courts); Scotland's Court of Session and Court of the Justiciary
boroughs; Legal system is based on common law tradition with early Roman and modern continental influences; has nonbinding
judicial review of Acts of Parliament under the Human Rights Act of 1998; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations
Executive: The monarchy is hereditary; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition
is usually the prime minister; elections last held 5 May 2010 (next to be held by May 2015)
Legislative: bicameral Parliament consists of House of Lords (618 seats; consisting of approximately 500 life peers, 92 hereditary
peers, and 26 clergy) and House of Commons (646 seats since 2005 elections; members are elected by popular vote to serve
five-year terms unless the House is dissolved earlier)
elections: House of Lords - no elections (note - in 1999, as provided by the House of Lords Act, elections were held in the House
of Lords to determine the 92 hereditary peers who would remain there; elections are held only as vacancies in the hereditary
peerage arise); House of Commons - Last Held: 05 May 2010 (next to be held in 2015)
Judicial: House of Lords (highest court of appeal; several Lords of Appeal in Ordinary are appointed by the monarch for life);
Supreme Courts of England, Wales, and Northern Ireland (comprising the Courts of Appeal, the High Courts of Justice, and the
Crown Courts); Scotland's Court of Session and Court of the Justiciary
| LANGUAGES |
English, Welsh (about 26% of the population of Wales), Scottish form of Gaelic (about 60,000 in Scotland)
| BRIEF HISTORY |
England is the largest and most populous of the constituent countries of the United Kingdom. Archaeological evidence indicates that
what was southern old Britannia was colonised by humans long before the rest of the British Isles due to its more hospitable climate
between and during the various ice ages of the distant past. The area now known as Wales has been inhabited by modern humans
for at least 29,000 years, though continuous human habitation dates from the period after the last Ice age. The history of Scotland
begins around 10,000 years ago, when humans first began to inhabit Scotland after the end of the Devensian glaciation, the last ice
age. Few archaeological traces remain of this group, but their descendants and later Neolithic arrivals, particularly from the Iberian
Peninsula, were responsible for major Neolithic sites such as Newgrange. Up to and during the Roman occupation of Britain, Wales
was not a separate country; all the native inhabitants of Roman Britain spoke Brythonic languages (a sub-family of the Celtic
languages) and were regarded as Britons (or Brythons). Mediaeval Wales was rarely united but was under the rule of various native
principalities. When the land-hungry Normans invaded England, they naturally started pushing into the relatively weak Welsh
Marches, setting up a number of lordships in the Eastern part of the country and the border areas. In response, the usually fractious
Welsh, who still retained control of the north and west of Wales, started to unite around leaders such as Llywelyn the Great, who is
known to have described himself as "prince of all North Wales" by 1199. In 1282, King Edward I of England (1272–1307) finally
conquered the last remaining native Welsh principalities in north and west Wales[3] (an area roughly corresponding to the present
day counties of Anglesey, Caernarfonshire, Merionethshire, Ceredigion and Carmarthenshire). The Statute of Rhuddlan formally
established Edward's rule over Wales two years later. To appease the Welsh, Edward's son (later Edward II), who had been born
in Wales, was made Prince of Wales on 7 February 1301. Wales therefore took the status of Principality, which it held officially
between 1284 and 1536. The tradition of bestowing the style 'Prince[ess] of Wales' on the heir of the British Monarch continues to
the present day. The conquest of Ireland began in 1169 under Henry II (1154–89). At first, it was not strictly an English conquest,
as it was launched by a small group of Normans who were neither English nor acting on behalf of the English Crown. A
dispossessed Norman baron from Wales, Richard fitzGilbert de Clare ('Strongbow') teamed up with the exiled Irish king, Diarmuid
MacMorrough, to help him recover his kingdom of Leinster. The Normans consequently gained a territorial foothold in Ireland,
capturing Dublin in 1170. The success of Strongbow alarmed Henry II, who was worried that he was becoming too powerful.
Henry invaded Ireland himself in 1171. Dublin and the surrounding area came under his control. In 1541, the Irish Parliament was
ordered to change the status of Ireland to a kingdom, with King Henry VIII (1509–47) as its monarch; Henry, regarding the way he
styled himself as beyond the law of Parliament, and began to style himself as King of Ireland the next year. This created a union of
the Crowns. For the remainder of the 16th century, the Tudor monarchs expanded their control over Ireland from the small Pale
around Dublin to control over the whole island by 1603. The Tudor re-conquest of Ireland saw large-scale violence, culminating in
the Desmond Rebellions and the Nine Years War. Another feature of the sixteenth century was the creation of English Plantations of
Ireland, which attempted to extend English influence further into Ireland by confiscating land from Irish landowners and "planting"
colonies of English settlers in their place. Scotland was, (until 1707), an independent kingdom that for centuries had sought to resist
English attempts to interfere in her domestic and foreign affairs. Because of her climate, physical geography and population density,
the Kingdom of Scotland tended to be economically and militarily inferior to her southern neighbour, the Kingdom of England.
However, Scotland's "Auld Alliance" with France had been a cause of grave concern for successive English governments and
monarchs and the perceived need to isolate Scotland from Roman Catholic France was one of the driving forces in English foreign
policy towards Scotland, particularly during the Scottish Reformation. The accession of James VII's son, Charles I, in 1625 marked
the beginning of an intense schism between King and Parliament. Charles's adherence to the doctrine of the Divine Right of Kings
fuelled a vicious battle for supremacy between king and Parliament. The crisis culminated in the English Civil War (1642–49), saw
Charles's execution and ushered in a period of rule as a parliamentary Commonwealth (1649–53) followed by a period of personal
rule under the Parliamentarian veteran Oliver Cromwell as Lord Protector. Deeper political integration was a key policy of Queen
Anne, (1702–14), who succeeded to the throne in 1702 as the last Stuart monarch of England and Scotland (she became the only
Stuart monarch of Great Britain). Under the aegis of the Queen and her advisors a Bill of Union was drawn up and in 1706
negotiations between England and Scotland began in earnest. The circumstances of Scotland's acceptance of the Bill are to some
degree disputed. Scottish proponents believed that failure to accede to the Bill would result in the imposition of Union under less
favourable terms and months of fierce debate on both sides of the border were to follow, particularly in Scotland where debate
could often dissolve into civil disorder, most notably by the notorious 'Edinburgh Mob'. In 1707, the Acts of Union received their
Royal assent, thereby abolishing the Parliament of the Kingdom England and Parliament of the Kingdom of Scotland to create a
unified Kingdom of Great Britain with a single Parliament of Great Britain. Possibly influenced by the War of American
Independence (1775–1783), a united force of Irish volunteers used their influence to campaign for greater independence for the
Irish Parliament. The legislative union of Great Britain and Ireland was completed on 1 January 1801, in both the Irish and the
British parliaments, under the Act of Union 1800, changing the country's name to "United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland". A
unilaterally declared "Irish Republic" was proclaimed in Dublin in 1916 during the Easter Rising. The uprising was quelled swiftly by
British forces, and most of the leaders were shot. This led to a major increase in support in Ireland for the uprising, and in the
declaration of independence was ratified by Dáil Éireann, the self-declared Republic's parliament in 1919. An Anglo-Irish War was
fought between Crown forces and the Army of the Irish Republic between January 1919 and June 1921. The Anglo-Irish Treaty of
1921, negotiated between teams representing the British and Irish Republic's governments, and ratified by three parliaments,4
established the Irish Free State, which was initially a British Empire Dominion in the same vein as Canada or South Africa, but
subsequently left the British Commonwealth and became a republic after World War II, without constitutional ties with the United
Kingdom. Six northern, predominantly Protestant, Irish counties (Northern Ireland) have remained part of the United Kingdom.
Britain's control over its Empire loosened during the interwar period. Nationalism became stronger in other parts of the empire,
particularly in India and in Egypt. Between 1867 and 1910, the UK granted Australia, Canada, and New Zealand "Dominion"
status (near complete autonomy within the Empire). They became charter members of the British Commonwealth of Nations
(known as the Commonwealth of Nations since 1949), an informal but closely-knit association that succeeded the British Empire.
Beginning with the independence of India and Pakistan in 1947, the remainder of the British Empire was almost completely
dismantled. Today, most of Britain's former colonies belong to the Commonwealth, almost all of them as independent members.
There are, however, 13 former British colonies — including Bermuda, Gibraltar, the Falkland Islands, and others — which have
elected to continue their political links with London and are known as British Overseas Territories. After the difficult 70s and 80s
and a low point of Black Wednesday under the John Major government, the rest of the 1990s saw the beginning of a period of
continuous economic growth that has to date lasted over 15 years. The Good Friday Agreement saw what many believe to be the
beginning of the end of conflict in Northern Ireland; since this event, there has been very little armed violence over the issue.
Source: Wikipedia: History of United Kingdom
what was southern old Britannia was colonised by humans long before the rest of the British Isles due to its more hospitable climate
between and during the various ice ages of the distant past. The area now known as Wales has been inhabited by modern humans
for at least 29,000 years, though continuous human habitation dates from the period after the last Ice age. The history of Scotland
begins around 10,000 years ago, when humans first began to inhabit Scotland after the end of the Devensian glaciation, the last ice
age. Few archaeological traces remain of this group, but their descendants and later Neolithic arrivals, particularly from the Iberian
Peninsula, were responsible for major Neolithic sites such as Newgrange. Up to and during the Roman occupation of Britain, Wales
was not a separate country; all the native inhabitants of Roman Britain spoke Brythonic languages (a sub-family of the Celtic
languages) and were regarded as Britons (or Brythons). Mediaeval Wales was rarely united but was under the rule of various native
principalities. When the land-hungry Normans invaded England, they naturally started pushing into the relatively weak Welsh
Marches, setting up a number of lordships in the Eastern part of the country and the border areas. In response, the usually fractious
Welsh, who still retained control of the north and west of Wales, started to unite around leaders such as Llywelyn the Great, who is
known to have described himself as "prince of all North Wales" by 1199. In 1282, King Edward I of England (1272–1307) finally
conquered the last remaining native Welsh principalities in north and west Wales[3] (an area roughly corresponding to the present
day counties of Anglesey, Caernarfonshire, Merionethshire, Ceredigion and Carmarthenshire). The Statute of Rhuddlan formally
established Edward's rule over Wales two years later. To appease the Welsh, Edward's son (later Edward II), who had been born
in Wales, was made Prince of Wales on 7 February 1301. Wales therefore took the status of Principality, which it held officially
between 1284 and 1536. The tradition of bestowing the style 'Prince[ess] of Wales' on the heir of the British Monarch continues to
the present day. The conquest of Ireland began in 1169 under Henry II (1154–89). At first, it was not strictly an English conquest,
as it was launched by a small group of Normans who were neither English nor acting on behalf of the English Crown. A
dispossessed Norman baron from Wales, Richard fitzGilbert de Clare ('Strongbow') teamed up with the exiled Irish king, Diarmuid
MacMorrough, to help him recover his kingdom of Leinster. The Normans consequently gained a territorial foothold in Ireland,
capturing Dublin in 1170. The success of Strongbow alarmed Henry II, who was worried that he was becoming too powerful.
Henry invaded Ireland himself in 1171. Dublin and the surrounding area came under his control. In 1541, the Irish Parliament was
ordered to change the status of Ireland to a kingdom, with King Henry VIII (1509–47) as its monarch; Henry, regarding the way he
styled himself as beyond the law of Parliament, and began to style himself as King of Ireland the next year. This created a union of
the Crowns. For the remainder of the 16th century, the Tudor monarchs expanded their control over Ireland from the small Pale
around Dublin to control over the whole island by 1603. The Tudor re-conquest of Ireland saw large-scale violence, culminating in
the Desmond Rebellions and the Nine Years War. Another feature of the sixteenth century was the creation of English Plantations of
Ireland, which attempted to extend English influence further into Ireland by confiscating land from Irish landowners and "planting"
colonies of English settlers in their place. Scotland was, (until 1707), an independent kingdom that for centuries had sought to resist
English attempts to interfere in her domestic and foreign affairs. Because of her climate, physical geography and population density,
the Kingdom of Scotland tended to be economically and militarily inferior to her southern neighbour, the Kingdom of England.
However, Scotland's "Auld Alliance" with France had been a cause of grave concern for successive English governments and
monarchs and the perceived need to isolate Scotland from Roman Catholic France was one of the driving forces in English foreign
policy towards Scotland, particularly during the Scottish Reformation. The accession of James VII's son, Charles I, in 1625 marked
the beginning of an intense schism between King and Parliament. Charles's adherence to the doctrine of the Divine Right of Kings
fuelled a vicious battle for supremacy between king and Parliament. The crisis culminated in the English Civil War (1642–49), saw
Charles's execution and ushered in a period of rule as a parliamentary Commonwealth (1649–53) followed by a period of personal
rule under the Parliamentarian veteran Oliver Cromwell as Lord Protector. Deeper political integration was a key policy of Queen
Anne, (1702–14), who succeeded to the throne in 1702 as the last Stuart monarch of England and Scotland (she became the only
Stuart monarch of Great Britain). Under the aegis of the Queen and her advisors a Bill of Union was drawn up and in 1706
negotiations between England and Scotland began in earnest. The circumstances of Scotland's acceptance of the Bill are to some
degree disputed. Scottish proponents believed that failure to accede to the Bill would result in the imposition of Union under less
favourable terms and months of fierce debate on both sides of the border were to follow, particularly in Scotland where debate
could often dissolve into civil disorder, most notably by the notorious 'Edinburgh Mob'. In 1707, the Acts of Union received their
Royal assent, thereby abolishing the Parliament of the Kingdom England and Parliament of the Kingdom of Scotland to create a
unified Kingdom of Great Britain with a single Parliament of Great Britain. Possibly influenced by the War of American
Independence (1775–1783), a united force of Irish volunteers used their influence to campaign for greater independence for the
Irish Parliament. The legislative union of Great Britain and Ireland was completed on 1 January 1801, in both the Irish and the
British parliaments, under the Act of Union 1800, changing the country's name to "United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland". A
unilaterally declared "Irish Republic" was proclaimed in Dublin in 1916 during the Easter Rising. The uprising was quelled swiftly by
British forces, and most of the leaders were shot. This led to a major increase in support in Ireland for the uprising, and in the
declaration of independence was ratified by Dáil Éireann, the self-declared Republic's parliament in 1919. An Anglo-Irish War was
fought between Crown forces and the Army of the Irish Republic between January 1919 and June 1921. The Anglo-Irish Treaty of
1921, negotiated between teams representing the British and Irish Republic's governments, and ratified by three parliaments,4
established the Irish Free State, which was initially a British Empire Dominion in the same vein as Canada or South Africa, but
subsequently left the British Commonwealth and became a republic after World War II, without constitutional ties with the United
Kingdom. Six northern, predominantly Protestant, Irish counties (Northern Ireland) have remained part of the United Kingdom.
Britain's control over its Empire loosened during the interwar period. Nationalism became stronger in other parts of the empire,
particularly in India and in Egypt. Between 1867 and 1910, the UK granted Australia, Canada, and New Zealand "Dominion"
status (near complete autonomy within the Empire). They became charter members of the British Commonwealth of Nations
(known as the Commonwealth of Nations since 1949), an informal but closely-knit association that succeeded the British Empire.
Beginning with the independence of India and Pakistan in 1947, the remainder of the British Empire was almost completely
dismantled. Today, most of Britain's former colonies belong to the Commonwealth, almost all of them as independent members.
There are, however, 13 former British colonies — including Bermuda, Gibraltar, the Falkland Islands, and others — which have
elected to continue their political links with London and are known as British Overseas Territories. After the difficult 70s and 80s
and a low point of Black Wednesday under the John Major government, the rest of the 1990s saw the beginning of a period of
continuous economic growth that has to date lasted over 15 years. The Good Friday Agreement saw what many believe to be the
beginning of the end of conflict in Northern Ireland; since this event, there has been very little armed violence over the issue.
Source: Wikipedia: History of United Kingdom
| ECONOMIC OVERVIEW |
The UK, a leading trading power and financial center, is one of the quintet of trillion dollar economies of Western Europe. Over the
past two decades, the government has greatly reduced public ownership and contained the growth of social welfare programs.
Agriculture is intensive, highly mechanized, and efficient by European standards, producing about 60% of food needs with less than
2% of the labor force. The UK has large coal, natural gas, and oil resources, but its oil and natural gas reserves are declining and
the UK became a net importer of energy in 2005. Services, particularly banking, insurance, and business services, account by far
for the largest proportion of GDP while industry continues to decline in importance. Since emerging from recession in 1992, Britain's
economy enjoyed the longest period of expansion on record during which time growth outpaced most of Western Europe. In 2008,
however, the global financial crisis hit the economy particularly hard, due to the importance of its financial sector. Sharply declining
home prices, high consumer debt, and the global economic slowdown compounded Britain's economic problems, pushing the
economy into recession in the latter half of 2008 and prompting the BROWN government to implement a number of measures to
stimulate the economy and stabilize the financial markets; these include nationalizing parts of the banking system, cutting taxes,
suspending public sector borrowing rules, and moving forward public spending on capital projects. Public finances, weak before the
economic slowdown, deteriorated markedly during 2009, as did employment. The Bank of England periodically coordinates
interest rate moves with the European Central Bank, but Britain remains outside the European Economic and Monetary Union
(EMU).
Source: CIA World Factbook (select United Kingdom)
past two decades, the government has greatly reduced public ownership and contained the growth of social welfare programs.
Agriculture is intensive, highly mechanized, and efficient by European standards, producing about 60% of food needs with less than
2% of the labor force. The UK has large coal, natural gas, and oil resources, but its oil and natural gas reserves are declining and
the UK became a net importer of energy in 2005. Services, particularly banking, insurance, and business services, account by far
for the largest proportion of GDP while industry continues to decline in importance. Since emerging from recession in 1992, Britain's
economy enjoyed the longest period of expansion on record during which time growth outpaced most of Western Europe. In 2008,
however, the global financial crisis hit the economy particularly hard, due to the importance of its financial sector. Sharply declining
home prices, high consumer debt, and the global economic slowdown compounded Britain's economic problems, pushing the
economy into recession in the latter half of 2008 and prompting the BROWN government to implement a number of measures to
stimulate the economy and stabilize the financial markets; these include nationalizing parts of the banking system, cutting taxes,
suspending public sector borrowing rules, and moving forward public spending on capital projects. Public finances, weak before the
economic slowdown, deteriorated markedly during 2009, as did employment. The Bank of England periodically coordinates
interest rate moves with the European Central Bank, but Britain remains outside the European Economic and Monetary Union
(EMU).
Source: CIA World Factbook (select United Kingdom)
| POLITICAL CLIMATE |
The UK is a multi-party system and since the 1920s, the two largest political parties have been the Conservative Party and the
Labour Party. Though coalition and minority governments have been an occasional feature of Parliamentary politics, the first-past-
the-post electoral system used for general elections tends to maintain the dominance of these two parties, though each has in the
past century relied upon a third party to deliver a working majority in Parliament.
The Liberal Democrats, a party formed by the merger of the former Liberal Party and Social Democratic Party in 1988, is the third
largest party in the British parliament. It seeks a reform of the electoral system to address the disproportionate dominance of the
two main parties that results from the current system.
The United Kingdom general election of 2010 was held on 6 May, to elect members to the House of Commons. The general
election took place in 649 constituencies across the United Kingdom, under the first-past-the-post system, for seats in the House
of Commons. The Conservative Party under David Cameron won the largest number of votes and seats, but fell short of the 326
seats needed to have an overall majority. It was the first time since 1974, and only the second time since the Second World War,
that a British general election returned a hung parliament.
The third largest party, the Liberal Democrats, suffered a net loss of five seats despite an apparent breakthrough in opinion polls,
which started after the first televised debate, when many thought leader Nick Clegg performed well by separating himself from the
two-party establishment. Nevertheless, Clegg's party still achieved their largest popular vote since their creation in 1988, and found
themselves in a pivotal role in the formation of the new government. On 11 May, as coalition talks between the Conservatives and
the Liberal Democrats seemed to be drawing to a successful conclusion, Labour leader Gordon Brown, whose party had slid from
first to second place, announced his resignation as Prime Minister. Within an hour, Conservative leader David Cameron took up
that role. Just after midnight on 12 May 2010, the Liberal Democrats emerged from the meeting of their Parliamentary party and
Federal Executive to announce that the coalition deal had been "approved overwhelmingly", meaning that David Cameron would be
leading a coalition government of the Liberal Democrats and Conservatives.
The election was unique in many ways. The Green Party won its first seat in the Commons, and the Alliance Party won its first seat
at the ballot box. 35% of voters supported a party other than Labour or the Conservatives—the highest such figure since the 1918
general election. It was the first time since 1979 that none of the three main party leaders had headed a previous general election
campaign. For the first time in a British election, the three main party leaders engaged in a series of televised debates.
The constitution is uncodified, being made up of constitutional conventions, statutes and other elements.
Source: Wikipedia: Politics of United Kingdom
Labour Party. Though coalition and minority governments have been an occasional feature of Parliamentary politics, the first-past-
the-post electoral system used for general elections tends to maintain the dominance of these two parties, though each has in the
past century relied upon a third party to deliver a working majority in Parliament.
The Liberal Democrats, a party formed by the merger of the former Liberal Party and Social Democratic Party in 1988, is the third
largest party in the British parliament. It seeks a reform of the electoral system to address the disproportionate dominance of the
two main parties that results from the current system.
The United Kingdom general election of 2010 was held on 6 May, to elect members to the House of Commons. The general
election took place in 649 constituencies across the United Kingdom, under the first-past-the-post system, for seats in the House
of Commons. The Conservative Party under David Cameron won the largest number of votes and seats, but fell short of the 326
seats needed to have an overall majority. It was the first time since 1974, and only the second time since the Second World War,
that a British general election returned a hung parliament.
The third largest party, the Liberal Democrats, suffered a net loss of five seats despite an apparent breakthrough in opinion polls,
which started after the first televised debate, when many thought leader Nick Clegg performed well by separating himself from the
two-party establishment. Nevertheless, Clegg's party still achieved their largest popular vote since their creation in 1988, and found
themselves in a pivotal role in the formation of the new government. On 11 May, as coalition talks between the Conservatives and
the Liberal Democrats seemed to be drawing to a successful conclusion, Labour leader Gordon Brown, whose party had slid from
first to second place, announced his resignation as Prime Minister. Within an hour, Conservative leader David Cameron took up
that role. Just after midnight on 12 May 2010, the Liberal Democrats emerged from the meeting of their Parliamentary party and
Federal Executive to announce that the coalition deal had been "approved overwhelmingly", meaning that David Cameron would be
leading a coalition government of the Liberal Democrats and Conservatives.
The election was unique in many ways. The Green Party won its first seat in the Commons, and the Alliance Party won its first seat
at the ballot box. 35% of voters supported a party other than Labour or the Conservatives—the highest such figure since the 1918
general election. It was the first time since 1979 that none of the three main party leaders had headed a previous general election
campaign. For the first time in a British election, the three main party leaders engaged in a series of televised debates.
The constitution is uncodified, being made up of constitutional conventions, statutes and other elements.
Source: Wikipedia: Politics of United Kingdom
| INTERNATIONAL DISPUTES |
In 2002, Gibraltar residents voted overwhelmingly by referendum to reject any "shared sovereignty" arrangement between the UK
and Spain; the Government of Gibraltar insists on equal participation in talks between the two countries; Spain disapproves of UK
plans to grant Gibraltar greater autonomy; Mauritius and Seychelles claim the Chagos Archipelago (British Indian Ocean Territory),
and its former inhabitants since their eviction in 1965; most Chagossians reside in Mauritius, and in 2001 were granted UK
citizenship, where some have since resettled; in May 2006, the High Court of London reversed the UK Government's 2004 orders
of council that banned habitation on the islands; UK rejects sovereignty talks requested by Argentina, which still claims the Falkland
Islands (Islas Malvinas) and South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands; territorial claim in Antarctica (British Antarctic
Territory) overlaps Argentine claim and partially overlaps Chilean claim; Iceland, the UK, and Ireland dispute Denmark's claim that
the Faroe Islands' continental shelf extends beyond 200 nm.
and Spain; the Government of Gibraltar insists on equal participation in talks between the two countries; Spain disapproves of UK
plans to grant Gibraltar greater autonomy; Mauritius and Seychelles claim the Chagos Archipelago (British Indian Ocean Territory),
and its former inhabitants since their eviction in 1965; most Chagossians reside in Mauritius, and in 2001 were granted UK
citizenship, where some have since resettled; in May 2006, the High Court of London reversed the UK Government's 2004 orders
of council that banned habitation on the islands; UK rejects sovereignty talks requested by Argentina, which still claims the Falkland
Islands (Islas Malvinas) and South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands; territorial claim in Antarctica (British Antarctic
Territory) overlaps Argentine claim and partially overlaps Chilean claim; Iceland, the UK, and Ireland dispute Denmark's claim that
the Faroe Islands' continental shelf extends beyond 200 nm.
| REFUGEES AND INTERNALLY DISPLACED PERSONS (IDPS) |
None reported.
| ILLICIT DRUGS |
Producer of limited amounts of synthetic drugs and synthetic precursor chemicals; major consumer of Southwest Asian heroin,
Latin American cocaine, and synthetic drugs; money-laundering center.
Latin American cocaine, and synthetic drugs; money-laundering center.
| HUMAN RIGHTS STATEMENTS, ANALYSIS AND CRITIQUES |
2009 Human Rights Report: United Kingdom
Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor
2009 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices
March 11, 2010
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (the UK), with a population of 60.8 million, is a constitutional monarchy with
a multiparty, parliamentary form of government. Citizens elect representatives to the House of Commons, the lower chamber of a
bicameral legislature. They last did so in free and fair elections in 2005. Members of the upper chamber, the House of Lords, occupy
hereditary or appointed seats. Civilian authorities maintained effective control of the security forces.
Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor
2009 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices
March 11, 2010
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (the UK), with a population of 60.8 million, is a constitutional monarchy with
a multiparty, parliamentary form of government. Citizens elect representatives to the House of Commons, the lower chamber of a
bicameral legislature. They last did so in free and fair elections in 2005. Members of the upper chamber, the House of Lords, occupy
hereditary or appointed seats. Civilian authorities maintained effective control of the security forces.
- There were some reports of police misconduct and occasional abuse of detainees and other persons by police and military
personnel and employees of government contractors. - There were also reports of overcrowded prisons and some inadequate prison infrastructure.
- Societal problems included discrimination against religious minorities;
- mistreatment of women, children, ethnic minorities, gay persons, and persons with disabilities;
- trafficking of persons.
16 March 2010
Human Rights Council
Fourteenth session
Agenda item 3
Promotion and protection of all human rights, civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights, including the right to
development
Report of the Special Rapporteur on the human rights of migrants, Jorge Bustamante*
Mission to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Summary
The present report examines the protection of the human rights of migrants in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland,
placing it primarily as a country of destination of migration flows. It presents the legal framework pertaining to the human rights of
migrants at the international, European and domestic levels, underscoring some gaps in the implementation of existing laws and noting
policies which should benefit from a human rights approach. The Special Rapporteur presents major trends and challenges, highlights
good practices and makes recommendations.
I. Introduction
1. The Special Rapporteur on the human rights of migrants visited the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland from 22 to
26 June 2009, at the invitation of the Government. Given the short length of his visit, the Special Rapporteur only visited England, one of
the four nations comprising the United Kingdom. While a comprehensive approach is privileged in the report, a number of examples are
drawn from the observations and information gathered in situ. This report presents information on the protection afforded to migrants by
the Government in light of international human rights standards. The report also presents major trends and key challenges, highlights
good practices and makes recommendations.
2. During his visit, the Special Rapporteur consulted with government officials from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, the Home
Office, the Department of Health and the Department for Children, Schools and Families. He met with the Children’s Commissioner for
England, observed immigration operations at Heathrow Airport and visited immigration removal centres in the districts of Dover and
Gosport.
3. At Heathrow airport, he observed operations in terminals 1 and 2 including shortterm holding facilities and the Flight Connections
Centre. He was briefed on the iris recognition immigration system1 and asylum-seeking processes. In Dover and Gosport, he visited
immigration removal centres, where he observed routine operations, including the initial age assessment interview in a disputed age case.
He also interviewed detainees charged with immigration-related offences.
Click here to read more »
Human Rights Council
Fourteenth session
Agenda item 3
Promotion and protection of all human rights, civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights, including the right to
development
Report of the Special Rapporteur on the human rights of migrants, Jorge Bustamante*
Mission to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Summary
The present report examines the protection of the human rights of migrants in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland,
placing it primarily as a country of destination of migration flows. It presents the legal framework pertaining to the human rights of
migrants at the international, European and domestic levels, underscoring some gaps in the implementation of existing laws and noting
policies which should benefit from a human rights approach. The Special Rapporteur presents major trends and challenges, highlights
good practices and makes recommendations.
I. Introduction
1. The Special Rapporteur on the human rights of migrants visited the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland from 22 to
26 June 2009, at the invitation of the Government. Given the short length of his visit, the Special Rapporteur only visited England, one of
the four nations comprising the United Kingdom. While a comprehensive approach is privileged in the report, a number of examples are
drawn from the observations and information gathered in situ. This report presents information on the protection afforded to migrants by
the Government in light of international human rights standards. The report also presents major trends and key challenges, highlights
good practices and makes recommendations.
2. During his visit, the Special Rapporteur consulted with government officials from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, the Home
Office, the Department of Health and the Department for Children, Schools and Families. He met with the Children’s Commissioner for
England, observed immigration operations at Heathrow Airport and visited immigration removal centres in the districts of Dover and
Gosport.
3. At Heathrow airport, he observed operations in terminals 1 and 2 including shortterm holding facilities and the Flight Connections
Centre. He was briefed on the iris recognition immigration system1 and asylum-seeking processes. In Dover and Gosport, he visited
immigration removal centres, where he observed routine operations, including the initial age assessment interview in a disputed age case.
He also interviewed detainees charged with immigration-related offences.
Click here to read more »
Freedom In The World 2010 Report
Political Rights Score: 1
Civil Liberties Score: 1
Status: Free
Overview
A scandal over lawmakers’ personal expenses erupted in May 2009, resulting in a loss of public faith in Parliament. Scotland’s justice
secretary stirred controversy in August by releasing a Libyan man who had been convicted for the 1988 bombing of an airliner over the
town of Lockerbie. Separately, the new Supreme Court began functioning in October, replacing a panel of the House of Lords as the
country’s highest court and increasing the structural separation of powers.
In June 2007, Blair resigned and Brown took office as prime minister. Although he won some praise for his response to failed terrorist
attacks that month, Brown subsequently suffered from flagging public support and a Labour Party fundraising scandal later that year.
Meanwhile, David Cameron, a younger politician who had led the Conservative Party since late 2005, gained in the polls as he
modernized and softened his party’s right-wing image.
Brown acted decisively to counter the international financial crisis in late 2008 and early 2009 by shoring up ailing banks with public
money, and his approach was hailed abroad as a model response. Nevertheless, Labour was left far behind by the Conservatives in the
June 2009 European Parliament elections, which also handed the nationalist—and many say racist—British National Party its first two
seats.
The European voting took place amid a major scandal concerning the widespread exploitation of parliamentary expense accounts by
lawmakers. In May, the media had revealed that many Parliament members routinely used public funds for luxury items, home
renovations, and other dubious purposes. Both major parties were implicated, and the image of the entire institution was tarnished. The
speaker of the House of Commons resigned as a result.
In August, Scotland’s justice secretary made the controversial decision to release Abdelbaset al-Megrahi, the only person convicted in
the 1988 bombing of a U.S. airliner over the Scottish town of Lockerbie. Al-Megrahi was allowed to return home to Libya on
compassionate grounds, as he was terminally ill. The move drew criticism in Britain and the United States, and led to accusations that the
British government had pushed for the release to bolster economic relations with Libya, though officials in London rejected the claims.
Click here to read more »
Political Rights Score: 1
Civil Liberties Score: 1
Status: Free
Overview
A scandal over lawmakers’ personal expenses erupted in May 2009, resulting in a loss of public faith in Parliament. Scotland’s justice
secretary stirred controversy in August by releasing a Libyan man who had been convicted for the 1988 bombing of an airliner over the
town of Lockerbie. Separately, the new Supreme Court began functioning in October, replacing a panel of the House of Lords as the
country’s highest court and increasing the structural separation of powers.
In June 2007, Blair resigned and Brown took office as prime minister. Although he won some praise for his response to failed terrorist
attacks that month, Brown subsequently suffered from flagging public support and a Labour Party fundraising scandal later that year.
Meanwhile, David Cameron, a younger politician who had led the Conservative Party since late 2005, gained in the polls as he
modernized and softened his party’s right-wing image.
Brown acted decisively to counter the international financial crisis in late 2008 and early 2009 by shoring up ailing banks with public
money, and his approach was hailed abroad as a model response. Nevertheless, Labour was left far behind by the Conservatives in the
June 2009 European Parliament elections, which also handed the nationalist—and many say racist—British National Party its first two
seats.
The European voting took place amid a major scandal concerning the widespread exploitation of parliamentary expense accounts by
lawmakers. In May, the media had revealed that many Parliament members routinely used public funds for luxury items, home
renovations, and other dubious purposes. Both major parties were implicated, and the image of the entire institution was tarnished. The
speaker of the House of Commons resigned as a result.
In August, Scotland’s justice secretary made the controversial decision to release Abdelbaset al-Megrahi, the only person convicted in
the 1988 bombing of a U.S. airliner over the Scottish town of Lockerbie. Al-Megrahi was allowed to return home to Libya on
compassionate grounds, as he was terminally ill. The move drew criticism in Britain and the United States, and led to accusations that the
British government had pushed for the release to bolster economic relations with Libya, though officials in London rejected the claims.
Click here to read more »
NGOs call for effective UK torture inquiry
14 September 2010
Amnesty International and eight other NGOs have urged the UK government to ensure that its forthcoming inquiry into torture and
ill-treatment of detainees held abroad during ongoing counter-terrorism operations is independent, thorough and transparent.
In a joint letter to the head of the inquiry, the nine NGOs urged the UK government to allow victims to participate in the investigation.
The inquiry is expected to examine allegations that UK authorities have been involved in or aware of torture or other ill-treatment,
arbitrary detentions, enforced disappearances, and renditions of individuals detained overseas, as well as government policy and guidance
to intelligence officials.
"Now that the Prime Minister has established an inquiry, and its terms of reference are being decided, we reiterate that it must be
independent, impartial and thorough, and that secrecy cannot be used as an excuse to withhold embarrassing information from the
public," said Nicola Duckworth, Amnesty International's Europe and Central Asia Director.
Announced by Prime Minister David Cameron in July, the inquiry will be led by Sir Peter Gibson, who is currently the UK's Intelligence
Services Commissioner. The start date of the inquiry is not yet known.
In a letter sent to Sir Peter last week Amnesty International and the eight other NGOs made 11 detailed recommendations on how to
ensure the success of the inquiry.
The organizations called for a human rights-compliant investigation that will ensure that victims of human rights violations have
meaningful access to justice and learn the truth about what happened.
They said that survivors and victims must have standing as parties to the inquiry and must be kept informed throughout the investigation,
allowed access to hearings and must be granted the right to legal representation funded by the inquiry.
The NGOs called for the inquiry report to be made public and said that it should satisfy the requirement of full and public disclosure of
the truth about UK responsibility for the human rights violations in question.
They also called for NGOs to be allowed to play an active role in the inquiry.
The other eight organizations that signed the letter are: The AIRE Centre; British Irish Rights Watch; Cageprisoners; Justice; Liberty; The
Medical Foundation for the Care of Victims of Torture; Redress and Reprieve.
Click here to read more »
14 September 2010
Amnesty International and eight other NGOs have urged the UK government to ensure that its forthcoming inquiry into torture and
ill-treatment of detainees held abroad during ongoing counter-terrorism operations is independent, thorough and transparent.
In a joint letter to the head of the inquiry, the nine NGOs urged the UK government to allow victims to participate in the investigation.
The inquiry is expected to examine allegations that UK authorities have been involved in or aware of torture or other ill-treatment,
arbitrary detentions, enforced disappearances, and renditions of individuals detained overseas, as well as government policy and guidance
to intelligence officials.
"Now that the Prime Minister has established an inquiry, and its terms of reference are being decided, we reiterate that it must be
independent, impartial and thorough, and that secrecy cannot be used as an excuse to withhold embarrassing information from the
public," said Nicola Duckworth, Amnesty International's Europe and Central Asia Director.
Announced by Prime Minister David Cameron in July, the inquiry will be led by Sir Peter Gibson, who is currently the UK's Intelligence
Services Commissioner. The start date of the inquiry is not yet known.
In a letter sent to Sir Peter last week Amnesty International and the eight other NGOs made 11 detailed recommendations on how to
ensure the success of the inquiry.
The organizations called for a human rights-compliant investigation that will ensure that victims of human rights violations have
meaningful access to justice and learn the truth about what happened.
They said that survivors and victims must have standing as parties to the inquiry and must be kept informed throughout the investigation,
allowed access to hearings and must be granted the right to legal representation funded by the inquiry.
The NGOs called for the inquiry report to be made public and said that it should satisfy the requirement of full and public disclosure of
the truth about UK responsibility for the human rights violations in question.
They also called for NGOs to be allowed to play an active role in the inquiry.
The other eight organizations that signed the letter are: The AIRE Centre; British Irish Rights Watch; Cageprisoners; Justice; Liberty; The
Medical Foundation for the Care of Victims of Torture; Redress and Reprieve.
Click here to read more »
US: European Corporate Hypocrisy
Global Firms Violate International Labor Standards in America
September 2, 2010
(New York) - Many European companies that publicly embrace workers' rights under global labor standards nevertheless undermine
workers' rights in their US operations, Human Rights Watch said in a report issued today.
The 128-page report, "A Strange Case: Violations of Workers' Freedom of Association in the United States by European Multinational
Corporations," details ways in which some European multinational firms have carried out aggressive campaigns to keep workers in the
United States from organizing and bargaining, violating international standards and, often, US labor laws.
Companies cited include Germany-based Deutsche Telekom's T-Mobile USA and Deutsche Post's DHL, UK-based Tesco's Fresh &
Easy Neighborhood Markets and G4S Wackenhut security, France-based Sodexo food services and Saint-Gobain industrial equipment,
Norway-based Kongsberg Automotive, and the Dutch firm Gamma Holding.
"The behavior of these companies casts serious doubt on the value of voluntary commitments to human rights," said Arvind Ganesan,
director of the Business and Human Rights Program at Human Rights Watch. "Companies need to be held accountable, to their own
stated commitments and to strong legal standards."
Among the violations documented in the report are practices of forcing workers into "captive audience" meetings to hear anti-union
harangues while prohibiting pro-union voices, threatening dire consequences if workers form unions, threatening to permanently replace
workers who exercise the right to strike, spying on employee organizers, and even firing workers who support organizing efforts at
companies.
The Human Rights Watch report is based on thirty interviews with workers and employees' testimony in legal proceedings, findings and
decisions of US labor law authorities, company documents, and written exchanges with company management.
"The US needs to close the loopholes in the country's woefully inadequate laws to protect workers, including reforms embodied in the
Employee Free Choice Act," Ganesan said. "The US labor law system is characterized by long delays, weak penalties, and one-sided
employer access to staff inside the workplace."
Click here to read more »
Global Firms Violate International Labor Standards in America
September 2, 2010
(New York) - Many European companies that publicly embrace workers' rights under global labor standards nevertheless undermine
workers' rights in their US operations, Human Rights Watch said in a report issued today.
The 128-page report, "A Strange Case: Violations of Workers' Freedom of Association in the United States by European Multinational
Corporations," details ways in which some European multinational firms have carried out aggressive campaigns to keep workers in the
United States from organizing and bargaining, violating international standards and, often, US labor laws.
Companies cited include Germany-based Deutsche Telekom's T-Mobile USA and Deutsche Post's DHL, UK-based Tesco's Fresh &
Easy Neighborhood Markets and G4S Wackenhut security, France-based Sodexo food services and Saint-Gobain industrial equipment,
Norway-based Kongsberg Automotive, and the Dutch firm Gamma Holding.
"The behavior of these companies casts serious doubt on the value of voluntary commitments to human rights," said Arvind Ganesan,
director of the Business and Human Rights Program at Human Rights Watch. "Companies need to be held accountable, to their own
stated commitments and to strong legal standards."
Among the violations documented in the report are practices of forcing workers into "captive audience" meetings to hear anti-union
harangues while prohibiting pro-union voices, threatening dire consequences if workers form unions, threatening to permanently replace
workers who exercise the right to strike, spying on employee organizers, and even firing workers who support organizing efforts at
companies.
The Human Rights Watch report is based on thirty interviews with workers and employees' testimony in legal proceedings, findings and
decisions of US labor law authorities, company documents, and written exchanges with company management.
"The US needs to close the loopholes in the country's woefully inadequate laws to protect workers, including reforms embodied in the
Employee Free Choice Act," Ganesan said. "The US labor law system is characterized by long delays, weak penalties, and one-sided
employer access to staff inside the workplace."
Click here to read more »
24 September 2010
Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg gives a speech to the plenary session of the United Nations General Assembly
The United Kingdom is wholehearted in our support for international development. Like many nations, we are having to take tough action
to reduce our financial deficits. But we are not budging a millimetre from our commitment to development. We are standing by our
promise to devote 0.7% of gross national income to international development assistance from 2013, and we will enshrine this
commitment in law.
The work of international institutions must continue to be guided by the values on which those institutions were founded: the rule of law
- both domestic and international; the right to freedom of expression and belief; democracy; the equality before the law.
These values are sometimes described as 'Western' values - but only by people who do not know their history. Four centuries ago, the
great Mughal emperor Akbar was legislating for religious freedom and equality in what is now India, while in parts of Europe 'heretics'
were being burned at the stake.
The truth is that these liberal values of equality, law and self-determination cannot be claimed by any nation or hemisphere. They are
global values with global force. They are also the values at the heart of the United Nations Charter.
We should never apologise for promoting the idea that women and men are equal; never flinch from insisting that governments chosen
by their people are better; never shy away from our insistence that nobody should be silenced because of their religion or beliefs.
The United Kingdom will therefore continue to push for human rights across the world. Since the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
in 1948, the United Nations has developed a global legal framework of human rights standards.
The United Kingdom will also show leadership by example. As fierce advocates of the international rule of law, we will practice what we
preach. No nation can insist on the law, and then act as though it is above it.
But our approach will also be hard-headed and realistic. In recent years we have learned - in some cases the hard way - that democracy
cannot be created by diktat. Freedom cannot be commanded into existence.
The world has changed. But the values that should guide us have not. We have to renew our international institutions in line with the new
threats and the new realities of world power and influence, and fearlessly project the ideals of democracy, equality and freedom.
Click here to read more »
Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg gives a speech to the plenary session of the United Nations General Assembly
The United Kingdom is wholehearted in our support for international development. Like many nations, we are having to take tough action
to reduce our financial deficits. But we are not budging a millimetre from our commitment to development. We are standing by our
promise to devote 0.7% of gross national income to international development assistance from 2013, and we will enshrine this
commitment in law.
The work of international institutions must continue to be guided by the values on which those institutions were founded: the rule of law
- both domestic and international; the right to freedom of expression and belief; democracy; the equality before the law.
These values are sometimes described as 'Western' values - but only by people who do not know their history. Four centuries ago, the
great Mughal emperor Akbar was legislating for religious freedom and equality in what is now India, while in parts of Europe 'heretics'
were being burned at the stake.
The truth is that these liberal values of equality, law and self-determination cannot be claimed by any nation or hemisphere. They are
global values with global force. They are also the values at the heart of the United Nations Charter.
We should never apologise for promoting the idea that women and men are equal; never flinch from insisting that governments chosen
by their people are better; never shy away from our insistence that nobody should be silenced because of their religion or beliefs.
The United Kingdom will therefore continue to push for human rights across the world. Since the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
in 1948, the United Nations has developed a global legal framework of human rights standards.
The United Kingdom will also show leadership by example. As fierce advocates of the international rule of law, we will practice what we
preach. No nation can insist on the law, and then act as though it is above it.
But our approach will also be hard-headed and realistic. In recent years we have learned - in some cases the hard way - that democracy
cannot be created by diktat. Freedom cannot be commanded into existence.
The world has changed. But the values that should guide us have not. We have to renew our international institutions in line with the new
threats and the new realities of world power and influence, and fearlessly project the ideals of democracy, equality and freedom.
Click here to read more »
UK Human Rights Commissions call for Northern Ireland Bill of Rights
16 September 2010
Today (16 September 2010), the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission will hold its annual conference in Belfast. The conference
will focus on the future of human rights in the UK.
In advance of the conference the three UK National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) have issued a joint statement calling for the
implementation of a Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland.
The Joint statement from the Equality and Human Rights Commission in Great Britain, Scottish Human Rights Commission and Northern
Ireland Human Rights Commission reads:
“The three UK National Human Rights Institutions (N.I, Scotland and Great Britain) agree that the establishment of a UK Commission to
investigate the possible creation of a British Bill of Rights must not delay the process of implementing a separate Bill of Rights for
Northern Ireland”
Professor Monica McWilliams Chief Commissioner of the NIHRC said:
“A Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland should be given the attention it deserves and not mixed up in a wider UK debate. On this issue the
three United Nations accredited national human rights institutions are totally agreed. The Northern Ireland process was established by the
Belfast (Good Friday) Agreement and its completion remains crucial to guaranteeing future peace and democratic stability. The new
Westminster Government must now bring forward the necessary legislation to uphold promises made to the people of Northern Ireland
and to fulfil treaty obligations agreed with the Government of the Republic of Ireland.”
Professor Alan Miller, Chair of the SHRC, said:
“There has been so much time, effort and constructive thinking put into the Bill of Rights process for Northern Ireland by so many
people that everything must be done to ensure a positive outcome. This further advance of human rights for all is not only what the
people of Northern Ireland deserve after so many years but would also enrich the public debate within the United Kingdom and serve as
an inspiration to so many people around the world, particularly in conflict situations.”
Trevor Philips, Chair of the EHRC said:
“We fully support the conclusion of the process in Northern Ireland as soon as possible, in order that a robust Bill of Rights can be
enacted to reflect their particular circumstances. We also believe it is important to consider the implications of devolution in the
development of any Bill of Rights for the UK as the legal and constitutional issues involved are different in all four nations.”
Click here to read more »
16 September 2010
Today (16 September 2010), the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission will hold its annual conference in Belfast. The conference
will focus on the future of human rights in the UK.
In advance of the conference the three UK National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) have issued a joint statement calling for the
implementation of a Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland.
The Joint statement from the Equality and Human Rights Commission in Great Britain, Scottish Human Rights Commission and Northern
Ireland Human Rights Commission reads:
“The three UK National Human Rights Institutions (N.I, Scotland and Great Britain) agree that the establishment of a UK Commission to
investigate the possible creation of a British Bill of Rights must not delay the process of implementing a separate Bill of Rights for
Northern Ireland”
Professor Monica McWilliams Chief Commissioner of the NIHRC said:
“A Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland should be given the attention it deserves and not mixed up in a wider UK debate. On this issue the
three United Nations accredited national human rights institutions are totally agreed. The Northern Ireland process was established by the
Belfast (Good Friday) Agreement and its completion remains crucial to guaranteeing future peace and democratic stability. The new
Westminster Government must now bring forward the necessary legislation to uphold promises made to the people of Northern Ireland
and to fulfil treaty obligations agreed with the Government of the Republic of Ireland.”
Professor Alan Miller, Chair of the SHRC, said:
“There has been so much time, effort and constructive thinking put into the Bill of Rights process for Northern Ireland by so many
people that everything must be done to ensure a positive outcome. This further advance of human rights for all is not only what the
people of Northern Ireland deserve after so many years but would also enrich the public debate within the United Kingdom and serve as
an inspiration to so many people around the world, particularly in conflict situations.”
Trevor Philips, Chair of the EHRC said:
“We fully support the conclusion of the process in Northern Ireland as soon as possible, in order that a robust Bill of Rights can be
enacted to reflect their particular circumstances. We also believe it is important to consider the implications of devolution in the
development of any Bill of Rights for the UK as the legal and constitutional issues involved are different in all four nations.”
Click here to read more »
Joint Committee on Human Rights Press Notice No. 6
Session 2009-10, 4 January 2010
JCHR legislative scrutiny priorities for 2010
The Joint Committee on Human Rights scrutinizes every Government Bill for its compatibility with human rights, including common law
fundamental rights, the Convention rights protected by the Human Rights Act 1998 and the human rights contained in other international
obligations of the UK. The Committee's scrutiny of Bills for compatibility with the requirements of human rights law includes
consideration of whether the Bill presents an opportunity to enhance human rights in the UK. The Committee is actively seeking to
encourage more input from civil society into its legislative scrutiny work.
Further to the Committee's press notice of 28 July 2009, on the Government's draft legislative programme for 2009-10, the Committee
has now identified the following nine priority areas for scrutiny in 2010, based on the significance of the human rights issues involved
and the likelihood of legislation being passed before the end of the parliamentary session. The Committee would welcome short
submissions of up to 1500 words from interested parties by Monday 18 January.
(1) Illegal file-sharing
The Digital Economy Bill contains provisions to combat illegal file sharing and other forms of online copyright infringement, via a
two-stage process: first, by requiring Internet Service Providers to maintain a list of IP addresses which copyright holders suspect may
be infringing copyright; and second, through reserve powers, if needed, to introduce technical measures, such as disconnection. One of
the main human rights issues raised by the Bill is whether it strikes the right balance between the right of artists to the peaceful
enjoyment of their possessions (the intellectual property in their work) (Article 1 Protocol 1) and internet users' right to respect for their
private life (Article 8 ECHR) and their right to freedom of expression (Article 10 ECHR).
(2) DNA and fingerprints
The Crime and Security Bill contains the Government's proposed DNA retention framework in response to the European Court of
Human Rights judgment in Marper, outlined by the Home Secretary in his Written Statement dated 11 November 2009. The human rights
issue is whether the new framework remedies the incompatibility with the right to respect for private life (in Article 8 ECHR) identified in
the Marper case.
The Bill also allows the police to take DNA samples and fingerprints at any time following conviction for a serious crime, and
retrospectively to add to the DNA database those convicted of serious violent or sexual offences before the 2004 change in the law
which made it routine to collect the DNA of offenders. The new power will enable the police to take the DNA of offenders who are now
back in the community. The human rights issue is whether the power to take the DNA and fingerprints of offenders who are now back
in the community is compatible with the right to respect for their private life (in Article 8 ECHR).
Click here to read more>>
Session 2009-10, 4 January 2010
JCHR legislative scrutiny priorities for 2010
The Joint Committee on Human Rights scrutinizes every Government Bill for its compatibility with human rights, including common law
fundamental rights, the Convention rights protected by the Human Rights Act 1998 and the human rights contained in other international
obligations of the UK. The Committee's scrutiny of Bills for compatibility with the requirements of human rights law includes
consideration of whether the Bill presents an opportunity to enhance human rights in the UK. The Committee is actively seeking to
encourage more input from civil society into its legislative scrutiny work.
Further to the Committee's press notice of 28 July 2009, on the Government's draft legislative programme for 2009-10, the Committee
has now identified the following nine priority areas for scrutiny in 2010, based on the significance of the human rights issues involved
and the likelihood of legislation being passed before the end of the parliamentary session. The Committee would welcome short
submissions of up to 1500 words from interested parties by Monday 18 January.
(1) Illegal file-sharing
The Digital Economy Bill contains provisions to combat illegal file sharing and other forms of online copyright infringement, via a
two-stage process: first, by requiring Internet Service Providers to maintain a list of IP addresses which copyright holders suspect may
be infringing copyright; and second, through reserve powers, if needed, to introduce technical measures, such as disconnection. One of
the main human rights issues raised by the Bill is whether it strikes the right balance between the right of artists to the peaceful
enjoyment of their possessions (the intellectual property in their work) (Article 1 Protocol 1) and internet users' right to respect for their
private life (Article 8 ECHR) and their right to freedom of expression (Article 10 ECHR).
(2) DNA and fingerprints
The Crime and Security Bill contains the Government's proposed DNA retention framework in response to the European Court of
Human Rights judgment in Marper, outlined by the Home Secretary in his Written Statement dated 11 November 2009. The human rights
issue is whether the new framework remedies the incompatibility with the right to respect for private life (in Article 8 ECHR) identified in
the Marper case.
The Bill also allows the police to take DNA samples and fingerprints at any time following conviction for a serious crime, and
retrospectively to add to the DNA database those convicted of serious violent or sexual offences before the 2004 change in the law
which made it routine to collect the DNA of offenders. The new power will enable the police to take the DNA of offenders who are now
back in the community. The human rights issue is whether the power to take the DNA and fingerprints of offenders who are now back
in the community is compatible with the right to respect for their private life (in Article 8 ECHR).
Click here to read more>>
| Click map for larger view |
| Click flag for Country Report |
Elizabeth II
Queen since 6 February 1952
Queen since 6 February 1952
Charles
Prince and Heir Apparent since 14
November 1948
Prince and Heir Apparent since 14
November 1948
| TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS |
None reported.
Nicholas William Peter "Nick" Clegg
Deputy Prime Minister since 11 May 2010
Deputy Prime Minister since 11 May 2010
