15 Jun 2009

In defiance of recent events, a poll released today by Liberty shows overwhelming support for human rights laws. Despite a week of the Government defending the unjust and unsafe control order system, the Metropolitan police accused of using “waterboarding” techniques with suspects and the BNP winning two European parliament seats, polling reveals that 97% think it is important that there is a law that protects rights and freedoms in the UK.

Shami Chakrabarti, Director of Liberty, said;

“This poll will be depressing reading for the cocky far right and others opposed to human rights in Britain. Despite headlines about “waterboarding” and punishment without trial, our common values still run extremely deep and the contents of the Human Rights Act are valued by the overwhelming majority of people.”

The ComRes polling, commissioned by Liberty, sends a clear message to all political parties about the values the British public hold dear.

● 89% identified the right not to be tortured or degraded as either vital or important..
● 95% identified both the right to a fair trial and respect for privacy family life and the home as either vital or important.
● 76% believed that the right not to be detained without reason was either vital or important.

At last week’s Liberty conference, recently retired senior Law Lord, Lord Bingham said of the Human Rights Act:

“Which of these rights, I ask, would we wish to discard? Are any of them trivial, superfluous, unnecessary? Are any of them un-British? There may be those who would like to live in a country where these rights are not protected, but I am not of their number.”

Sabina Frediani, Campaigns Co-ordinator for Liberty, said;

“Britain hasn’t just got talent; it’s got an ocean of common sense and decency too. Public bodies have yet to step up and educate people about their rights protections but the public cherish them nonetheless. We need to be more suspicious of politicians who bash our human rights whilst demanding “due process” and “personal privacy” for themselves.”

Liberty’s poll coincides with the launch of the Equalities and Human Rights Commission’s Human Rights Inquiry report. However, both the Commission and The Government have yet to educate the public about the Human Rights Act – the Liberty poll shows that only 10% remember seeing or receiving any information explaining the legislation.

Contact: Mairi Clare Rodgers on 020 7378 3677 or 07973831128

Notes to Editors:

1. ComRes interviewed 1011 GB adults by telephone between 13th and 14th May 2009. Data were weighted to be representative demographically of all GB adults. ComRes is a member of the British Polling Council and abides by its rules. Full tables available at www.comres.co.uk. or contact Liberty's press office.

2. The full text of Lord Bingham’s speech can be found here.