The newly appointed chairwoman of the Equality and Human Rights Commission in the UK has raised concerns about the negative portrayal of migrants. Mary-Ann Stephenson emphasized that the language used regarding migration not only impacts migrants but also affects ethnic minority individuals in Britain.
Stephenson expressed her belief that it would be a misstep for the UK to exit the longstanding European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), describing the international treaty as crucial and stating that leaving it would diminish the rights that everyone relies on.
Critics on the political right have targeted the convention, arguing that it obstructs efforts to deport undocumented migrants. Both the Conservative Party and Reform UK have indicated intentions to withdraw from the ECHR as part of their immigration policy.
While the Labour Government has affirmed its commitment to the European treaty, it is currently evaluating human rights legislation to streamline the process of deporting individuals without legal status in the country. Proposed changes to Article 3 and Article 8 of the convention are included in the government’s plans to reform the asylum system.
Stephenson, who assumed the role of commission chair in December, stressed the significance of the ECHR, highlighting that it is enshrined in UK law through the Human Rights Act and safeguards the rights of all individuals.
She cited instances such as the John Worboys case, where the Supreme Court held the police accountable for investigative failures, and a case involving an elderly couple facing separation when one required residential care, as examples of the vital protections offered by the convention.
Stephenson also cautioned against the manipulation of human rights arguments in court cases and underlined the importance of honest discourse on human rights issues to prevent the mistreatment of migrants and ethnic minority communities.
In a recent development, various groups affected by past scandals, including Grenfell, Hillsborough, infected blood, and Windrush, along with Covid bereaved campaigners, penned a letter affirming the indispensability of the ECHR in seeking accountability for institutional failures and injustices. They emphasized that the convention has been instrumental in their quest for truth, justice, and transparency, serving as a crucial tool in challenging authority and ensuring accountability.