The European Court of Human Rights is hugely important. From the right to an education to the right to vote, it covers and protects all aspects of our lives. The idea of losing it cause of some lies about “boat people” is terrifying and the effect on our lives untold.

  • mannycalavera@feddit.uk
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    1 year ago

    Can someone explain how exactly the ECHR protects us? Or anyone for that matter? The ECHR doesn’t make laws in our country, that’s just not how government works here. And I don’t think it makes laws anywhere else either. So what exactly does it do and how does it do it?

    Genuinely interested if anyone can explain.

    • burningmatches@feddit.uk
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      1 year ago

      The European Court of Human Rights enforces the European Convention on Human Rights, which is an internationally treaty that was ratified in the UK in 1951 (with enthusiastic support from Churchill). It lists a bunch of fundamental rights.

      In 1998, the UK passed the Human Rights Act, which provides these protections under domestic law, with the European court acting as a backstop.

      So, yes, this is domestic law.

    • C4d@lemmy.world
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      1 year ago

      If you sign up to the ECHR you are saying that you will secure the rights defined under it within your jurisdiction; that’s Article 1. So it doesn’t make the laws, but it requires that they be made.

      • Garfvynneve@feddit.uk
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        1 year ago

        Incorporatoon in the ECHR is an explicit tenet of the good Friday agreement. They cant pull us out without undermining that agreement, which would result in eye-watering sanctions from America and Europe.

        (And also in any normal timeline - political ostracation. Although burning everything to the ground seems to be quite a popular policy these days.)