Committees

Human Rights (Joint Committee)

Joint Select Committee

The Joint Committee on Human Rights consists of twelve members, appointed from both the House of Commons and the House of Lords, to examine matters relating to human rights within the United Kingdom, as well as scrutinising every Government Bill for its compatibility with human rights.

 

These pages only show information for this committee from the start of 2020 onwards. Earlier information can be found on the previous version of the UK Parliament website.

View previous Human Rights (Joint Committee) website

7 current inquiries

Inquiries allow committees to consider oral and written evidence on a particular topic. They usually result in the publication of a report.

View all inquiries
The Government’s response to Covid-19: human rights implications
Report:
Published
On 21 September 2020
Govt. response:
Published
On 5 January 2021
Opened 19 March 2020
Freedom of Expression
Opened 6 November 2020
The Government's response to covid-19: human rights implications of long lockdown
Report:
Published
On 5 May 2021
Govt. response:
Published
On 15 July 2021
Opened 30 November 2020
The Government’s Independent Human Rights Act Review
Report:
Published
On 8 July 2021
Govt. response:
Overdue
Since 8 September 2021
Opened 21 January 2021
Proposal for a draft Bereavement Benefits (Remedial) Order 2021
Opened 21 July 2021
Protecting human rights in care settings
Written evidence:
Accepting
Deadline 2 November 2021
Opened 20 September 2021
The right to family life: adoption of children of unmarried women 1949-1976
Written evidence:
Accepting
Deadline 28 October 2021
Opened 23 September 2021

Non-inquiry work

Legislative scrutiny
Legislative scrutiny focuses on a particular piece of legislation, sometimes in draft form. The committee might consider it in private, or may take evidence.
Non-inquiry sessions
Non-inquiry sessions are brief packages of work that will not necessarily result in a report. They may be used to revisit previous inquiry topics or take evidence on a topical matter.
Pre-appointment hearings
People nominated to certain public offices may be examined by a committee to assess their suitability and plans for the role.

Latest news

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New inquiry: The right to family life: adoption of children of unmarried women 1949-1976
The Joint Committee on Human Rights launches a new inquiry
23 September 2021
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Lengthy sentencing for children and young people risks breaching human rights law
JCHR calls for rethink of Sentencing Bill
23 September 2021
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New inquiry: Protecting Human Rights in Care Settings
The Joint Committee on Human Rights examines whether the human rights of residents are respected in care homes
21 September 2021

Latest publications

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Sixth Report: Legislative Scrutiny: Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill (Parts 7 and 8): Sentencing and Remand of Children and Young People
Work Legislative Scrutiny: Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill: Youth Justice (Non-inquiry session)
Committees Human Rights (Joint Committee)
Open PDF
415KB
HC 451 / HL 73
Report
Letter from Chris Philp MP, Minister for Immigration Compliance and Justice, regarding the Home Office’s immigration bail pilots and whistleblowing review, dated 20 August 2021
Open PDF
145KB
Correspondence
Letter from Victoria Atkins MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Minister for Safeguarding), regarding the extraction of information from electronic devices, dated 14 September 2021
HC 91
Correspondence

Contact us

The Committee is unable to look into individual cases

  • Email: jchr@parliament.uk
  • Phone: 020 7219 4710 (General enquiries) / 020 7219 8430 (Media enquiries)
  • Address: Joint Committee on Human Rights, Houses of Parliament. London. SW1A 0AA