Human rights are core Labour values, rooted in equality, universality, and solidarity. Together with a group of other Labour activists, I have formed the Labour Campaign for Human Rights. Our aim is to champion a Labour vision for human rights as we head into the next election.
The UK needs better leadership to face the challenges ahead, in human rights and elsewhere. It needs a Labour government. And when Labour wins, the human rights landscape will look very different to the last time we made the transition from opposition. Below are five of the new human rights challenges Labour will face.
Drones and targeted killings
Military drones have now become a regular feature of modern war. America’s highly controversial ‘targeted killings’ programme has been made possible by drone technology. The programme does not comply with international law, and has done enormous damage to the west’s relations with Pakistan and its people. Other countries and even non-state actors are likely to get their hands on drones soon, so it is vital to ensure their use is brought under control.
The Tory-led government has not made its own position on targeted killings clear, and it has failed to encourage America to respect international law. In fact, the UK has reportedly stripped British people of their citizenship before they were killed by US drone strikes – suggesting complicity.
Data surveillance
No British government should ever compromise on its ultimate duty to protect its citizens. But Labour knows we cannot protect our democracy by destroying the fundamental freedoms and rights that underpin it.
Edward Snowden’s revelations revealed a secretive data surveillance programme run by British intelligence, known as Tempora. The programme appears to collect the data of everyone, not just those suspected of terrorism. That means information about all of our emails, Facebook messages, and internet histories.
In light of this, it is more important than ever to ensure the appropriate checks and balances are put in place for surveillance, and to make sure we are striking the right balance between security and liberty.
Defending the Human Rights Act
The Human Rights Act was the last Labour government’s greatest human rights achievement. It enshrines the European Convention on Human Rights in British law. For a country without any written constitution, this is crucial. But the Human Rights Act is under attack. The Conservatives look set to promise its repeal in their next manifesto.
The Human Rights Act protects individuals against abuse of power. It safeguards our most fundamental rights, including the right to liberty and security, due process, freedom of expression, and the right to a fair trial. A robust defence is essential.
The Arab Spring
The political convulsions that started in the Middle East and North Africa in 2010 continue, accompanied by brutal and widespread violence. How the UK and other world powers help manage the crises in Syria and Egypt could have a major impact not just on human rights in these countries, but on regional and international security too. Whatever the approach, protection of civilians must remain the overwhelming priority.
Withdrawal from Afghanistan
In 2014, all Nato combat troops will withdraw from Afghanistan. For Kabul, an unpalatable peace deal may be ultimate endgame.
The peace deal, should it ever happen, must protect the most fundamental gains made over the last 10 years. Chief among these are better protection for the rights of women and girls. The UK and the US will have to find a way to exert enough influence over the process to ensure these are not traded away.
Towards a Labour vision for human rights
In the face of these challenges, what could a Labour vision for human rights look like? This is the question LCHR hopes to answer over the coming months. When he was elected Labour Leader, Ed Miliband set our party a challenge – reclaim the British tradition of liberty. Let that be our starting point and our anchor as we explore these questions and prepare to tackle these difficult challenges.
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Andrew Noakes is the founder and chair of the Labour Campaign for Human Rights. For more information, visit www.lchr.org.uk
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