• Human Rights in the United Kingdom

    The European Court of Human Rights and domestic Human Rights Act face ongoing political and media attack in the UK. A draft law in parliament would widen use of secret hearings in civil courts on national security grounds, undermining accountability for UK officials accused of abuse. The government halted an inquiry into UK complicity in overseas rendition and torture, after new evidence of UK involvement in rendition to torture in Gadaffi-era Libya triggered criminal investigations. Nongovernmental organizations had boycotted the inquiry over lack of transparency and independence. A promised second inquiry has yet to begin.

More news »
Subscribe to content feed

Reports

More >>

United Kingdom

  • Time for the UK to Show It Takes Torture Seriously
    May 6, 2013
    The United Nations Committee Against Torture will look at the United Kingdom’s record on May 7 for the first time since 2004.
  • Somalia: London Meeting Should Emphasize Rights
    May 5, 2013
    International donors meeting in London to discuss the new Somali government’s reform agenda should make accountability and women’s rights a priority, Human Rights Watch said in a briefing paper sent to conference participants. On May 7, 2013, over 50 countries will convene to discuss the government’s strategic plans for justice, police, and army reform, prevention of sexual violence, and financial management.
  • UAE/UK: Cameron Should Demand Torture Inquiry
    Apr 30, 2013
    Prime Minister David Cameron should demand a thorough and independent investigation by the UAE authorities into credible allegations of torture by three British nationals.
  • If all options are open, why not prosecute Abu Qatada in the UK?
    Apr 25, 2013
    Listening to Theresa May’s statement to Parliament today, it seems the British government is leaving no stone unturned in its efforts to deport Abu Qatada to Jordan to face terrorism charges.
  • Submission to the United Nations Committee against Torture on the United Kingdom
    Apr 19, 2013
  • New UK Media Curbs May Please Beijing
    Mar 25, 2013
    British journalism often looks impressive from afar, with trusted media organizations like the BBC and Economist springing to mind. Closer up, its image is far more tarnished, particularly for newspapers, with a murky stew of phone-hacking, bribery and insider influence.
  • The Netherlands: Halt Plan to Deport Somalis
    Feb 21, 2013

    The Dutch government should not deport Somalis to any part of south-central Somalia, including Mogadishu, until security improves substantially, and the UN refugee agency has issued new guidelines.

  • Divided We Fall: Intolerance in Europe Puts Rights at Risk
    Feb 14, 2013
    An Afghan migrant is stabbed in the heart on the streets of Athens. Black-shirted paramilitaries linked to Hungary’s third-largest political party march through a Roma neighborhood shouting, “You will die here.” A neo-Nazi gang commits a string of murders of Turkish immigrants in Germany. An ideologue driven by hatred of “multiculturalism” kills 67 mostly young people on a Norwegian Island.
  • Should Companies Take Responsibility for Repression?
    Feb 13, 2013
    The Arab uprisings have been a poignant reminder of how the Internet can promote free expression and assembly, but also how governments can try abuse it. The medium used by demonstrators to organize protests and bring medical supplies to Tahrir Square, for example, was also used by the government to pinpoint human rights defenders for arrest, harassment, and even torture.
  • Getting to the truth about UK-Gaddafi ties
    Feb 4, 2013
    Some say we should put Britain's complicity in torture and human rights abuse in Libya behind us. We cannot do so. Lessons have not been learned, victims still await justice, while the 'secret courts bill' would help ensure future abuses remain hidden.
more documents on this topic »