European Convention on Human Rights, Protocol 12

HL Deb 25 October 2000 vol 618 cc44-5WA

Lord Lester of Herne Hill

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Bassam of Brighton of 11 October (WA 37), whether the interests of the United Kingdom and its peoples are likely to be harmed as a result of the generality of the text of Protocol 12 to the European Convention on Human Rights; and, if so, which. [HL4178]

Lord Bassam of Brighton

The Government's reasons for declining to sign and ratify Protocol 12 to the European Convention on Human Rights were summarised in my Written Answer of 11 October(WA 37) and are set out in greater detail in my Answers to the noble Lord's related Questions of 23 October (WA 13–14). New rights are not necessarily cost free (especially when they are economic, social and cultural rights) and may affect the rights of others, as many rights have to be balanced against each other.