Watchdog criticises UK ministers’ ‘antagonism’ towards human rights

Council of Europe report finds government's attitude is weakening protections for the public

The UK government has an increasingly antagonistic attitude" towards human rights that is weakening instead of strengthening protections for the public, a European inquiry has found.

Inflammatory language used by MPs and officials to describe lawyers could put their safety at risk, according to the Council of Europe's commissioner for human rights, Dunja Mijatovi.

Provisions in the PCSC Act that de facto criminalise Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities leading a nomadic lifestyle must be rescinded.

There is a high level of anxiety among stakeholders" about human rights protection in the UK, in view of the significant impact of recent and proposed legislation.

The UK's policies towards refugees, asylum seekers and migrants are eroding their rights. Proposals criticised in the report include newly introduced inadmissibility rules for asylum claims, the possibility of removing persons to Rwanda, and the criminalisation of asylum seekers arriving irregularly.

The emergence of a harsh political and public discourse against trans people in the UK has a negative impact on their rights.

The UK government should consider withdrawing the legacy bill, which offers a conditional amnesty to people accused of killings and other Troubles-related crimes.