§ Lord Lester of Herne Hillasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they intend the proposed Commission for Equality and Human Rights to have regard not only to the European Convention on Human Rights and the Human Rights Act 1998 but also to the other international human rights treaties by which the United Kingdom is bound. [HL2871]
§ Lord FilkinYes. Paragraph 3.13 of the White PaperFairness for all: A New Commission for Equality and Human Rights published on 12 May 2004 (Cmd 6185), makes clear our view that the proposed commission should promote public awareness and understanding of human rights, including those arising from the international agreements on human rights to which the UK is signatory.
§ Lord Lester of Herne Hillasked Her Majesty's Government:
Further to the Statement by the Lord Filkin on 13 May (HL Deb, col. 444), whether they intend the proposed Commission for Equality and Human Rights to use its statutory powers in relation to human rights functions by reference not only to the Human Rights Act 1998 but also the additional fundamental rights protected by the United Nations International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. [HL2872]
§ Lord FilkinWe intend that the enforcement powers of the proposed commission should be linked to those human rights which Parliament has determined should have binding effect in domestic law.
§ Lord Lairdasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether, when considering human rights issues, they give priority to group human rights or to individual human rights. [HL3011]
13WA
§ Lord FilkinThe Convention rights, set out in the Human Rights Act 1998, specify the circumstances in which the fundamental rights of the individual may be limited or qualified according to the rights of others, the interests of the wider community and national interests. It is the Government's policy that rights should be approached in this balanced manner.