John Prescott: Human rights are worth fighting for

If thereĄŚs one thing that exposes the hypocrisy of the Tories as the so-called party of law and order, itĄŚs human rights

If thereĄŚs one thing that exposes the hypocrisy of the Tories as the so-called party of law and order, itĄŚs human rights.

Last Monday it briefed that it would consider temporarily leaving the European Convention of Human Rights ĄV an international treaty which has protected our rights and freedoms for more than 65 years.

The reason? Home Secretary Theresa May still canĄŚt deport Abu Qatada to Jordan because he may be tried with evidence obtained under torture.

But on the very same day the Tories were running down the Human Rights convention, they used it to prevent political advertising by pressure groups appearing on our television screens!

Now, IĄŚm the leader of LabourĄŚs delegation to the Council of Europe, which oversees the European Court of Human Rights.

Next month we will be investigating the compliance of countries with the Convention.

So last week I questioned the British Ambassador, specifically discussing whether Britain will observe the European CourtĄŚs direction concerning voting rights for prisoners.

He confirmed the UK was involved with discussions about all possibilities about future membership of the Convention. And that included temporarily leaving the EHCR. You canĄŚt opt out of human rights!

ItĄŚs a bit like temporarily allowing murder, turning a blind eye to burglary or tolerating robbery.

ItĄŚs the rule of law and as soon as you choose to ignore it, you descend from a shining democracy to a dark despotism. Imagine what message it would send to countries such as Russia, Burma or even Syria.

How can we preach to them about improving their human rights records, when weĄŚve conveniently chosen to ignore them ourselves?

If Abu Qatada is such a dangerous threat why canĄŚt we prosecute him in the UK courts? Is it because any evidence would involve our intelligence services?

Maybe this is why the Government now wants to speed ahead to secret courts.

Justice must not only be done but be seen to be done and the convention has helped to keep us a free democracy for 60 years.

The fact is that the European Court of Human Rights and our own British courts both believe Qatada shouldnĄŚt be deported.

They feel that evidence secured under torture could be used.

Are we really happy saying torture is acceptable? Because opting out of the Convention will send that message across the world.

My father lost a leg fighting the Nazis to preserve our freedom and IĄŚm sure as hell not going to allow this Government to relinquish it just because theyĄŚre getting some difficult headlines.

But of course, this isnĄŚt about human rights.

ItĄŚs more about Cameron appeasing his anti-Europeans and keeping the right-wing newspapers on side and saving MayĄŚs face again.

And for this week, itĄŚs about trying to outflank UKIP in the local county elections on Thursday.

This is posturing, not policy.

And threatening to waive away our fundamental freedoms to win a few votes is just a cheap con trick.


(2013-04-28/mirror)