Human rights under threat? Lords to take evidence on rights after Brexit

The Committee has undertaken a series of inquiries into the rights of EU citizens in the UK, and of UK citizens in the EU, before, during and after Brexit. This latest inquiry is considering the potential impacts of Brexit upon human rights in the UK, and seeks to get answers to some of the most fundamental issues that, just weeks away from the UK's departure date, are still outstanding.

Giving evidence to the Committee at 10:45am will be:

• Professor Colm O'Cinneide, Professor of Law UCL Faculty of Laws
• Mr Murray Hunt, Director of the Bingham Centre for the Rule of Law

Questions are likely to include:

• Given the Government's confirmation to us that is may still consider reforming the human rights framework by repealing or replacing the Human Rights Act 1998, once the process of EU exit has been completed, are you concerned that there is a threat to human rights and the rule of law?
• Do you believe rights protections in the UK will be weakened due to the removal of the Charter of Fundamental Rights? If so, in what particular spheres will the impact be most obvious?
• How significant is the removal of supremacy of EU law? Are there any particular areas of law where you believe this will have an immediate impact?
• Assuming that a deal with the European Union can be agreed, how far (and in what areas) do you think that the current draft of the Withdrawal Agreement and accompanying political declaration might mitigate any weakening of human rights standards under the domestic law regime?

The session will be held in Committee Room 3, House of Lords.

An evidence portal will be accessible on the Committee's website from Wednesday 13 March, and the Committee welcomes submissions to the inquiry.