Extending human and civic rights
As we mark the end of LGBT History Month, is constitutional reform the way to protect minorities?
As LGBT History Month draws to a close, Lance Price, Executive Director of The Kaleidoscope Trust asks whether constitutions are the best way to protect and promote LGBT rights. With expectations of Uganda signing an anti-homosexuality bill into law, he investigates whether constitutions can truly protect against unconstitutional acts. Similar PostsAudit 2017: How effectively is the representation of […]
20 things we learned about democracy in February 2014
February is the shortest month of the year, but that doesn’t mean that we haven’t learned an awful lot about democracy. In just 28 short days, we’ve found out about online voting, the public’s dismal view of Prime Minister’s Questions, perceptions of corruption, and an unlikely revival for a Jeffrey Archer storyline. Similar PostsBeyond metro […]
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 […]
The reform of judicial review is now an ongoing state of affairs rather than a one-off event
The government’s proposed reforms of judicial review have been criticised by campaigners and the legal profession. In this post, Mark Elliott examines how the government has changed direction in response to this criticism. He finds, however, that the refusal to reconsider changes to the “makes no difference” legal principle means that unlawful administrative actions by public […]
A new law which explicitly categorises forced marriage as a crime represents a crucial milestone in efforts to protect women’s human rights
There has been extensive debate over the criminalisation of forced marriage. Critics oppose it on the basis that it is likely to deter victims from seeking help. Kaye Quek argues in favour of the legislation, writing that it can send a firm message that forced marriage will not be tolerated by either the state or the community. […]
More women in Government: time for gender quotas
The current Government is notably male dominated, with both coalition partners having historical difficulties in attracting talented women to their ranks. This under-representation of women has a number of undesirable consequences, including largely shutting half the population out of the policymaking process. Claire Annesley argues that gender quotas in the executive would be the best way […]
20 things we learned about democracy in January 2014
The first month of what promises to be a momentous year for UK democracy has produced more than a few surprising revelations. In this post Democratic Audit looks back at the insights we have gleaned in the past 31 days, ranging from parliamentary mothers and unfree information to honourable barbers and the end of libel […]
Ends and means: experts debate the democratic oversight of the UK’s intelligence services
Revelations from Edward Snowden about the scope of intelligence activities in the UK have led to renewed attempts to enhance democratic oversight of the UK’s security services. The heads of MI5, MI6 and GCHQ appeared before the Intelligence and Security Committee for the first time, while Lord Macdonald called for strengthened parliamentary accountability. In this post, we ask […]
Private landlord ‘blacklisting’ of housing benefit tenants highlights UK human rights failures
Media reports suggest some private landlords are refusing to let properties to housing benefit claimants. Professor Aoife Nolan suggests this may put the UK in breach of international human rights law, if the government is failing to safeguard the right to adequate housing. Similar PostsTheresa May’s case for withdrawal from the ECHR: Politically astute, legally […]
After the Defamation Act, London may no longer be the libel capital of the world
The new Defamation Act is set to introduce the most wide-ranging reforms of defamation law in living memory. Dr Matthew Collins welcomes the thrust of reform, arguing that the law tilts the balance toward freedom of expression. Although it does little to reduce the complexity of the law in this area, and its non-application in […]
Democratic Audit's core funding is provided by the Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust. Additional funding is provided by the London School of Economics.