30 Oct 2006

Today, in advance of his appearance before the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights, the Lord Chancellor defended the Human Rights Act. He cited the case in particular of Naomi Bryant who was murdered.

Anna Fairclough, Liberty’s Legal Officer working with Naomi’s mother in her quest for justice said ”We welcome Lord Falconer’s robust defence of our rights and freedoms. We should be proud of the Human Rights Act which gave Naomi Bryant’s family the right to an in-depth inquest into her murder”. 
 
Contact: The Press Office on 0207 378 3656 or 0797 3 831 128  
 
Notes to Editors
 
Naomi Bryant, a 40 year old mother of one, was murdered by Anthony Rice who had a 34 year history of violent sexual attacks. Rice left jail in November 2004 after serving 16 years for rape, indecent assault and actual bodily harm. When the killing took place he was staying on licence at a charity hostel.
 
In his May 10 2006 report, the Chief Inspector of Probation Andrew Bridges listed a series of errors which led to Rice’s early release and a catalogue of failures in his supervision once he was released. Officials’ failure to adequately consider the danger he posed in light of his well-documented history of brutality against women may violate Bryant’s human rights to life and to be free from degrading treatment. Mrs Bryant and Liberty argue that Naomi’s human rights were violated by the early release of a convicted violent sex offender.
 
Naomi Bryant’s mother, Verna Bryant, said at the time: “I want the whole system to be shaken up. Victims have human rights too. What about my daughter’s rights?”
 
To date, there has been no public investigation into Rice’s release