Legislative scrutiny priorities 2013-14: call for evidence

The Joint Committee on Human Rights scrutinises every Government Bill for its compatibility with human rights, including common law fundamental rights and liberties, the Convention rights protected by the Human Rights Act 1998 and the human rights contained in other international obligations assumed by the UK.  The Committee also scrutinises draft Bills to the extent that its other work permits.  The Committee’s scrutiny of Bills and draft Bills for compatibility with the requirements of human rights law includes consideration of whether the Bill presents an opportunity to enhance human rights in the UK.  The Committee actively encourages input from civil society into its legislative scrutiny work.

Following the announcement of the Government’s Legislative Programme for 2013-14, the Committee has provisionally identified four Bills which it considers are likely to raise significant human rights issues:

• Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Bill;
• Care Bill;
• Immigration Bill; and
• Offender Rehabilitation Bill

The Committee proposes to focus its legislative scrutiny work principally on these Bills and draft Bills during the current parliamentary Session.  Submissions of no more than 1,500 words are invited from interested groups and individuals on:

• The significant human rights issues likely to be raised by each Bill or draft Bill; and
• Whether the Bill or draft Bill presents opportunities to enhance protection of human rights

Short submissions drawing the Committee’s attention to human rights issues raised by other Bills in the legislative programme are also welcome.

NOTE:
Submissions should reach the Committee by 28 June 2013 and be addressed to Mike Hennessy, Commons Clerk of the Joint Committee on Human Rights, Committee Office, House of Commons, 7 Millbank, London SW1P 3JA (email: jchr@parliament.uk).  Submissions must be received in electronic form in either Word or Rich Text format; a signed hard copy is also requested.

Evidence becomes the property of the Committee, and may be printed, placed on the Internet or circulated by the Committee at any stage.  You may publicise or publish your evidence yourself, but in doing so you must indicate that it was prepared for the Committee. Evidence published other than under the authority of the Committee does not attract parliamentary privilege.