Andy Burnham and Bishop James Jones questioned on Hillsborough law
On Wednesday 19 July, the Human Rights Committee will hold a one-off session on the implications for human rights of proposals for a ‘Hillsborough law’.
Meeting details
Calls for changes to the law arose in the aftermath of the Hillsborough disaster in 1989 amid concerns that serious public safety failings were being hidden or covered-up. It was not until the second inquest into the disaster in 2016, following decades of campaigning, that it was ruled that the 97 victims had been unlawfully killed and that the actions of the police, along with other institutions, had caused or contributed to their deaths.
A 2017 report by Bishop Jones, commissioned to learn from the experiences of the Hillsborough families found that: “when in all innocence and with a good conscience they have asked questions of those in authority on behalf of those they love the institution has closed ranks, refused to disclose information, used public money to defend its interests and acted in a way that was both intimidating and oppressive.”
Human rights law requires an independent and effective investigation into deaths or serious harm where systems or public authorities may have been at fault. Family members of those who have died must be able to participate effectively in that investigation.
Proposals have been advanced for a Hillsborough law, which would place a duty of candour on public bodies and officials, including a legal requirement for them to act with transparency when taking part in official investigations and inquiries. It would also establish an independent public advocate to support victims and families taking part in investigations and ensure families get the same level of funding for legal representation at inquests as is provided to public bodies. The evidence session will examine the impact of these proposals on the protection of human rights.