TORY plans to scrap the Human Rights Act “will diminish the UK’s reputation”, according to Nicola Sturgeon.
The First Minister is opposed to the plan and believes repealing the act “addresses no obvious problem”.
Replacing the Human Rights Act with a British Bill of Rights was an election pledge by the Conservatives with Justice Secretary Michael Gove to set out proposals.
Sturgeon has already said she will urge Holyrood to withhold consent for the abolition of the Act in Scotland and thinks it would “harm people in the UK who need support and protection”.
The SNP leader is to address civic organisations in Glasgow today with human rights campaigner Shami Chakrabarti.
She will say: “The cause of human rights is also the cause of social justice. Human rights are founded on the recognition that all human beings have equal worth and that all are entitled to the same fundamental protections and freedoms. The Conservative manifesto at the last election included this promise: ‘We will scrap Labour’s Human Rights Act and introduce a British Bill of Rights’.
“At the moment, none of us know how this Bill of Rights could work. In fact, the UK Government doesn’t seem to have any idea. That’s because their pledge has created a completely unnecessary dilemma.
“Nobody believes that the UK Government will strengthen existing human rights protections. But the UK Government must also know that any legislation which weakens human rights protections will diminish the UK’s reputation overseas, damage relations with devolved governments and impact on the welfare of people within the UK.
“Repealing the human rights act meets no pressing need and addresses no obvious problem. There is instead a clear risk that it will create legal confusion; harm people in the UK who need support and protection and give comfort to illiberal governments around the world. No responsible government should even be considering such a step.”
David Cameron has also faced criticism from some of his own backbenchers, many figures in the judiciary, Labour MPs and his former deputy prime minister Nick Clegg.
It is now expected to be announced as a consultation rather than a draft law, as Cameron may not have the support to get it through the Commons with his wafer-thin majority of 12.
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