Human Rights vs. Bill of Rights: What’s in it for workers?: London

About the Conference

In 2014 the Conservatives announced they would scrap the Human Rights Act, withdraw from the European Convention on Human Rights and introduce a new British Bill of Rights. More recently, Government chatter has focused on upgrading the Supreme Court into a “constitutional court” empowered to overrule EU laws, thereby ‘repatriating’ rights back to the UK.

So how much of this has the Government actually implemented? More importantly, how would such changes impact on the rights of UK citizens at work, in society and in the economy?

Currently, European Conventions protect workers in a number of ways. Article 4 protects people against slavery and forced labour – a growing concern with the roll out of Universal Credit. Article 8 protects the right to respect for private and family life. Article 10 ensures Freedom of expression without interference by public authorities. Article 11 protects workers’ rights to freedom of assembly and association, protections that trade unions are currently using to argue against the Trade Union Bill. And Article 14 protects against discrimination at work.

These basic rights form the basis of any civilised society so how can we ensure that these protections are included in any British Bill of Rights? Speakers at this event will discuss recent developments in the human rights debate and look specifically at some of the protections threatened by Government plans.

Speakers

Virginia Mantouvalou University College of London

Adam Wagner Doughty Street Chambers & RightsInfo

Stuart Brittenden Old Square Chambers

Professor Keith Ewing IER and King’s College London

Catherine Hobby University of East London

Sara O’Gilvie Liberty (Human Rights)

Paul Draycott Doughty Street Chambers