SDLP Criticises 'Tory Attack On Human Rights'

SDLP leader Alasdair McDonnell has described plans by David Cameron to suppress the power of the European Court of Human Rights on Britain as "unwanted, unworkable and "undermining the foundations of social justice".

The Prime Minister announced at last week's Conservative conference that his party would look to scrap the Human Rights Act in Britain.

"The absolute disdain that David Cameron and his party colleagues have shown for the Human Rights settlement that protects citizens here has been apparent for some time," Dr McDonnell said.

"His pre-election commitment to obliterating the Human Rights Act and suppressing the power of the European Court of Human Rights to hold the British Government to account for its rights violations, however, is an appalling attack on each and every citizen here.

"It has often been asked, but rarely answered, which human rights does David Cameron specifically object to? The right to life? The right to freely express one’s views? Or practise religion? The right to privacy? Or freedom from slavery, torture and discrimination? The fact is that each and every fundamental right contained within the Human Rights Act is one which underpins the freedom of our society and establishes a baseline commitment to social justice."

(IT/CD)