04 July 2020
Martha Spurrier, Director of Liberty, calls for the repeal of the UK's draconian Coronavirus Act, 100 days after it passed into law.
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"When the pandemic made its way to the UK, the Government made a series of dramatic changes to state powers.
From policing to data protection, to social care to protest, some of our fundamental human rights and civil liberties have been put at risk. We were facing a public health crisis, yet the response from the Government was a criminal justice crackdown.
The Coronavirus Act 2020 – which was passed exactly 100 days ago today – was central to the Government’s response. Ministers claimed the measures in the Act were essential to cope with the pandemic, but the truth is that it goes far beyond proportionate action.
It contains powers many people don’t even know exist, and which tear away at the very heart of our human rights. It strips away safeguards for disabled people, people with mental health issues and those who rely on social care just when they were most at risk."
Full article: Covid gave the Government extra powers, but our human rights are at stake if they don’t let them go (Metro, link)
When the pandemic made its way to the UK, the Government made a series of dramatic changes to state powers. From policing to data protection, to social care to protest, some of our fundamental human rights and civil liberties have been put at risk. We were facing a public health crisis, yet the response from the Government was a criminal justice crackdown. The Coronavirus Act 2020 – which was passed exactly 100 days ago today – was central to the Government’s response. Ministers claimed the measures in the Act were essential to cope with the pandemic, but the truth is that it goes far beyond proportionate action. It contains powers many people don’t even know exist, and which tear away at the very heart of our human rights. It strips away safeguards for disabled people, people with mental health issues and those who rely on social care just when they were most at risk.
Read more: https://metro.co.uk/2020/07/03/lockdown-easing-human-rights-attack-12939193/?ito=cbshare
Twitter: https://twitter.com/MetroUK | Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MetroUK/
When the pandemic made its way to the UK, the Government made a series of dramatic changes to state powers. From policing to data protection, to social care to protest, some of our fundamental human rights and civil liberties have been put at risk. We were facing a public health crisis, yet the response from the Government was a criminal justice crackdown. The Coronavirus Act 2020 – which was passed exactly 100 days ago today – was central to the Government’s response. Ministers claimed the measures in the Act were essential to cope with the pandemic, but the truth is that it goes far beyond proportionate action. It contains powers many people don’t even know exist, and which tear away at the very heart of our human rights. It strips away safeguards for disabled people, people with mental health issues and those who rely on social care just when they were most at risk.
Read more: https://metro.co.uk/2020/07/03/lockdown-easing-human-rights-attack-12939193/?ito=cbshare
Twitter: https://twitter.com/MetroUK | Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MetroUK/
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