Tag: Claire Overman
“An opportunist piece of electioneering”: experts criticise the Conservatives’ Human Rights Act repeal pledge
David Cameron recently announced his intention to repeal the Human Rights Act were his Conservative Party to be returned to Government following the General Election scheduled for May 2015. Democratic Audit asked human rights experts to contribute their assesment of the idea, particularly in light of further details of the proposal outlined by the Justice […]
The growing body of ‘right to die’ case law illustrates the issue’s growing prominence
The legal position of those who wish to end their own lives with assistance from another person has been consistently ambiguous, with politicians unable to come to a unified position, and the courts reluctant to take the initiative. Claire Overman takes a look back over the legal system’s attempts to deal with the issue, observing that […]
The Home Office’s exclusion of Dieudonné raises important issues regarding the protection of freedom of expression
The recent exclusion from the UK of French comedian Dieudonné M’Bala M’Bala raises important questions concerning the limits of freedom of expression. Whilst restrictions are certainly permissible under UK and European law, their justification must be clearly laid out, if freedom of expression is not to be unduly limited, says Claire Overman. Similar PostsThe European […]
Book Review: Human Rights and Democracy: the Precarious Triumph of Ideals
Human Rights and Democracy: the Precarious Triumph of Ideals assesses the progress of human rights in and since the 20th Century, against a backdrop of repressive regimes and mass slaughter in a rigorous yet accessible way, writes Claire Overman. Despite some confusing structuring, Todd Landman illustrates the complexities of the human rights agenda in a way that non-experts and experts […]
The European Court of Human Rights’ decision in MH v UK highlights the shortcomings in Britain’s mental health law
The European Court of Human Rights has ruled in MH v UK that the inability of a woman with Down’s Syndrome to challenge her detention in a hospital under the Mental Health Act 1983 violated her human rights. Claire Overman argues that this judgment throws a spotlight on the issue of the protection available to […]
The legal regulation of Muslim dress is controversial in the UK, but education could help eradicate prejudice
Segments of British society continue to feel uneasy about the idea of Muslim religious dress, particularly when it concerns the covering of women’s faces. The recent debate triggered by a Birmingham court’s introduction and then reversion of a ban on defendants wearing the veil presents a meaningful opportunity for non-Muslims to learn about the significance of religious dress […]
Business can play a big role in upholding human rights
As they expand into new parts of the global economy, large corporations are taking on an increasingly large role in protecting human rights. Claire Overman argues that there are cases where this should be welcome, with business uniquely well placed to observe human rights abuses by states where human rights protections are weakest. This summer, […]
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