What sort of justice do survivors of sexual war crimes want? – The Guardian

‘Convicting perpetrators of sexual violence in conflict is a milestone but we also need to enable survivors to build their future.’

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The Guardian, 12th April 2016

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Homophobia in sport to be studied by Commons committee inquiry – The Guardian

‘A Commons culture, media and sport committee inquiry is to explore homophobia in sport.’

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The Guardian, 5th April 2016

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Ministers’ language ‘undermines human rights work’, MPs say – BBC News

Posted April 5th, 2016 in human rights, ministers' powers and duties, news, select committees by sally

‘Ministers are creating a “perception” that human rights are not a priority for the government, MPs say.’

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BBC News, 5th April 2016

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Byron Karemba: The Investigatory Powers Bill: Introducing Judicial Authorisation of Surveillance Warrants in the United Kingdom – Putting the ‘Double-Lock’ in Focus (Part I) – UK Constitutional Law Association

‘When the Home Secretary commended the Draft Investigatory Powers Bill for pre-legislative scrutiny in November 2015, she lauded the oversight mechanisms in the Bill as ‘world-leading.’ A seminal feature of this new regime is the creation of a single Investigatory Powers Commissioner (IPCr) who is aided by a set of Judicial Commissioners (JCs) in exercising both ex ante and ex post facto oversight over the use of a range of surveillance measures. The IPCr will replace the existing fragmented (RIPA Part VI) framework of the Intelligence Services Commissioner, the Office of Surveillance Commissioner and the Interception of Communications Commissioner whom hitherto have (largely) conducted ex post facto oversight functions.’

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UK Constitutional Law Association, 22nd March 2016

Source: www.ukconstitutionallaw.org

Public sector equality duty must be beefed up, say peers – Local Government Lawyer

‘The wording of the Public Sector Equality Duty must be strengthened so that the discriminatory consequences of decisions by the Government and public authorities can no longer be ignored, peers have said.’

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Local Government Lawyer, 29th March 2016

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

Duty of care for disabled people in UK not being met, say peers – The Guardian

Posted March 24th, 2016 in disabled persons, duty of care, equality, news, reports, select committees by tracey

‘The government is failing in its duty of care to Britain’s 11 million disabled people, peers have said, in a House of Lords report published on Thursday. It identified a series of government failures, from inaction on long-standing provisions of the Equality Act designed to help disabled people, to repealing others that favour reducing business regulations over their rights, to the impact of spending cuts, as having a “hugely adverse impact” on those with disabilities.’

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The Guardian, 24th March 2016

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Mike Ashley: Could Sports Direct boss be jailed in Big Ben? – BBC News

‘Sports Direct boss Mike Ashley has been warned he could be in contempt of Parliament if he continues to refuse to appear in front of a committee of MPs. It sounds serious – but what could actually happen to him?’

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BBC News, 16th March 2016

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

MPs to investigate use of British weapons by Saudi Arabia in Yemen ‘humanitarian disaster’ – The Independent

Posted March 11th, 2016 in export controls, news, Saudi Arabia, select committees, weapons by tracey

‘MPs have launched an investigation whether British-made arms are being used by Saudi Arabian forces in a widely-criticised military campaign in Yemen.’

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The Independent, 10th March 2016

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Whistleblowers let down by government, say MPs – The Guardian

Posted March 11th, 2016 in civil servants, news, select committees, whistleblowers by tracey

‘Public accounts committee says Cabinet Office has shown a lack of urgency in strengthening laws to protect public servants.’

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The Guardian, 11th March 2016

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

New law needed for pension protection, says minister – BBC News

Posted March 10th, 2016 in news, pensions, select committees by sally

‘A new law is needed to protect workers’ savings held by companies that provide auto-enrolment pension schemes, a minister has said.’

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BBC News, 9th March 2016

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

UK spying laws: Government introduces law requiring WhatsApp and iMessage to break their own security – The Independent

‘The draft Investigatory Powers Bill, or Snoopers’ Charter, keeps a provision that weakening of security will only happen in cases where it is ‘practicable’, but that could still allow the Government to outlaw many of the most popular chat services as they currently exist.’

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The Independent, 1st March 2016

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Scenes from a disaster – Nearly Legal

Posted March 1st, 2016 in homelessness, housing, local government, news, select committees by sally

‘The Commons Communities and Local Government Select Committee has begun an enquiry into homelessness. The written submissions from Councils, charities, campaigners, professional organisations and others are a stark illustration of a homeless system that is, at least in some areas, in complete crisis – overwhelmed, unable to cope with rapidly rising demand, let alone provide suitable accommodation.’

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Nearly Legal, 29th February 2016

Source: www.nearlylegal.co.uk

Department for Business ‘failing to uphold human rights commitments’ – The Guardian

Posted February 23rd, 2016 in government departments, human rights, news, select committees by sally

‘Civil servants in the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills are giving British companies the all-clear to press ahead with contracts even though they are likely to lead to human rights abuses, the foreign affairs select committee will be told on Tuesday.’

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The Guardian, 22nd February 2016

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Ministers have not made ‘conclusive case’ for new web snooping powers – The Guardian

‘The home secretary has yet to make a conclusive case for giving spying agencies new snooping powers to track the web browsing histories of all British citizens, a key committee of peers and MPs has concluded.’

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The Guardian, 11th February 2016

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

English votes system ‘unstable’ warn MPs – BBC News

‘The new system of “English Votes for English Laws” is overly complicated and may not last long, MPs have warned.’

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BBC News, 11th February 2016

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Internet monitoring bill ‘must do more to protect privacy’ – BBC News

‘Plans to authorise mass data collection and hacking by Britain’s spies do not do enough to protect privacy, a watchdog has warned.’

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BBC News, 9th February 2016

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Lord Bramall inquiry: Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe called to account by MPs – Daily Telegraph

Posted February 8th, 2016 in armed forces, child abuse, inquiries, news, police, select committees by tracey

‘Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe, Britain’s most senior police officer, will explain his conduct over the beleaguered child sex abuse inquiry for the first time later this month after being called to give evidence to MPs.’

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Daily Telegraph, 7th February 2016

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Lord Brittan abuse inquiry ‘fully justified’, review finds – BBC News

‘The Metropolitan Police investigation of a rape allegation against the late Lord Brittan was “fully justified”, a review has concluded.’.

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BBC News, 7th February 2016

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Investigatory powers bill: snooper’s charter lacks clarity, MPs warn – The Guardian

‘The government’s investigatory powers bill lacks clarity and is sowing confusion among tech firms about the extent to which “internet connection records” will be collected, a parliamentary select committee has warned.’

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The Guardian, 1st February 2016

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Prisons inspector steps down with attack on Grayling for trying to influence his work – The Independent

Posted January 21st, 2016 in budgets, news, prisons, select committees by sally

‘The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) is compromising the independence of Britain’s prison inspectorate by demanding “day-to-day control” over expenditure and the power to veto spending on a weekly basis, MPs have been warned.’

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The Independent, 20th January 2016

Source: www.independent.co.uk