From: Martha Spurrier, Liberty <comms@liberty-human-rights.org.uk>Sent: 03 July 2020 14:53To: Subject: Scrap the Coronavirus Acthttps://liberty.e-activist.com/page/63721/petition/1
Dear _______
This weekend the lockdown is easing in most of England.
But while the end might appear to be in sight, the lockdown of our rights and freedoms has no firm time limit.
Exactly 100 days ago, the Government passed legislation – the Coronavirus Act – that was the most drastic reimagining of our civil liberties ever seen.
Since the start of the coronavirus outbreak people everywhere have shown they are willing to adapt to protect one another.
Liberty has always supported proportionate action to protect lives. But the Coronavirus Act has failed to uphold people’s rights while leaving the most marginalised worst affected.
This law harms human rights and puts our civil liberties in danger because the Act has no firm end date.
When this pandemic passes this law will still be on the statute books and some of its powers can be triggered at any time.
This means your civil liberties are in danger unless this law is scrapped.
Sign the petition to get rid of the Coronavirus Act and force the Government to instead focus on a response to the pandemic which protects human rights.
The Coronavirus Act was central to the Government’s pandemic response and was rushed through Parliament in just one day.
Some facts about the Act – and why it must be repealed:
- It gives the police broad new powers to detain anyone who could be infectious. But the Crown Prosecution Service has said that every single charge made under the Act has been wrong.
- Our investigative journalism unit, Liberty Investigates, found that under regulations accompanying the Act, people of colour are 54 per cent more likely to be fined than white people.
- It makes it legal for local councils to strip back social care. At least seven councils stopped providing even the most basic care services for disabled people in their areas.
- It threatens our right to protest.
- It failed to protect the most marginalised and the hostile environment has remained operational, even in the pandemic.
Remember, the Act has no firm end date. These powers could remain in place well beyond the pandemic.
- It allows the Government to suspend some elections.
But there is some hope. Thanks to Liberty and others, MPs can vote on whether to keep the Act or repeal it entirely. The Government will be reluctant to do this. But we must use this review as an opportunity to show how poor the Government’s response has been and why the Act must be repealed.
It is dangerous legislation that should never have been passed. The stranglehold on our civil liberties will remain until it’s scrapped.
Sign the petition to ask Government to get rid of the Coronavirus Act and focus on a response to the pandemic that protects our rights and freedoms.
Stay safe and stay well.
Martha Spurrier
Director
Liberty’s submission to the Joint Committee on Human Rights inquiry: The Government’s response to Covid-19: Human rights implications – June 2020
Alan notes: Unjust laws go hand in glove with racist policing, etc. Would those responsible for the publication of the murder victims in the Fryent Country Park murders really be able to say to the families of the victims: "We are sorry for your loss"?
Criminal Charges
Formal criminal charges should be brought against the two Metropolitan police officers who allegedly took and distributed photographs of the two Fryent Country Park murder victims, Bibaa Henry and Nicole Smallman
As a family we were assured that every respect would be shown to our beloved girls, and this disgraceful breach of their duty cannot be punished with just a disciplinary or the loss of a job.
These police officers have allegedly fallen woefully short of the high standards of integrity and behaviour that the public should be able to expect from the police service. They should face formal criminal charges of Misconduct in Public Office and under the Criminal Justice and Courts Act 2015. It is an offence for a police officer to exercise power or privileges improperly. Distributing photographic material of murder victims outside of the confidentiality of the formal murder investigation is a clear abuse of power amounting to criminal misconduct.
The family are struggling to come to terms with the loss of the two beautiful bright lights that have been taken from us, and we have to pray and believe that we will receive justice for their murders....
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