Andrew Turner, the Island’s MP, has welcomed the Government’s plans to reform the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR), which will be given particular focus during the UK’s six- month Chairmanship of the Council of Europe. The Government have said the package of reforms should include measures which will narrow the ECHR’s role and reinforce the judiciary of nation states.

The Foreign Secretary, The Rt Hon. William Hague MP, and the Lord Chancellor and Justice Secretary, The Rt Hon. Ken Clarke MP, confirmed that the UK’s main aim for the Chairmanship is to seek reforms of the ECHR across all 47 countries through a Ministerial Declaration in April 2012. At the forefront of any proposed reforms will be the UK’s intention to tackle serious human rights violations.

Mr Clarke’s statement read,
“We want the Court to fulfil the purpose for which it was intended – to uphold human rights under the Convention and to tackle serious violations of human rights across Europe. By agreeing a package of reforms during our Chairmanship of the Council of Europe, we would be in a strong position to effect these changes.”

Mr Turner responded by saying,
“I wholeheartedly welcome the proposed changes which have been outlined by the Foreign and Justice Secretaries, it is a good start. The UK’s Chairmanship of the Council of Europe is a great opportunity for us to start ong overdue changes to the ECHR. I sincerely hope that the Government is able to deliver on these promises and I shall be keeping a close eye on their progress. We have a recent example locally of the abuse of the current system where Roger Gleave, a convicted paedophile has, at public expense, been able to take the Government to court because he does not have a toilet in his cell, despite other arrangements being made for night sanitation.”
ENDS
Contact : Andrew Turner’s office 01983 530808