Committees

The Government’s response to Covid-19: human rights implications

Inquiry

In response to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Government has announced measures which aim to protect individuals’ right to life (Article 2 ECHR) and further steps will need to be taken over the coming days, weeks and months. Amongst other measures, it is expected that the Government will introduce emergency legislation on Thursday giving it new powers which are intended to help in containing and coping with the pandemic in the UK.

As this situation develops the UK Parliament’s Human Rights Committee will seek to examine the Government’s actions to ensure that its approach is compliant with human rights – not least the right to life (Article 2 ECHR). While it is likely that steps will need to be taken that interfere with human rights, for example the right to liberty (Article 5 ECHR) and the right to respect for family life (Article 8 ECHR), this must be done in a way that is proportionate.

The impact of these measures will be widely felt, and some groups will be affected more than others.

 

Upcoming events

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Past events

Monday 8 June 2020
2:30pm Public
The Government’s response to Covid-19: human rights implications - Oral evidence 8 June 2020
2:30pm
  • Witnesses supported by Children Heard and Seen
2:45pm
  • Lucy Frazer QC MP (Minister of State at Ministry of Justice)
  • Naomi Mallick (Legal Director at Ministry of Justice)
  • Jo Farrar (Chief Executive Officer at HM Prison and Probation Service)
Virtual Meeting
Monday 18 May 2020
2:00pm Private
2:30pm Public
The Government’s response to Covid-19: human rights implications - Oral evidence 18 May 2020
2:30pm
  • Adele Green
  • Andrea Attree
3:15pm
  • Dr Kevin Cleary (Deputy Chief Inspector of Hospitals (and lead for mental health and community services) at Care Quality Commission)
  • Kate Terroni (Chief Inspector of Adult Social Care at Care Quality Commission)
  • Ray James CBE (Director, Learning Disabilities at NHS England and NHS Improvement)
  • Claire Murdoch (National Director Mental Health at NHS England and NHS Improvement)
Virtual Meeting
Monday 4 May 2020
2:30pm Public
The Government’s response to Covid-19: human rights implications - Oral evidence 4 May 2020
2:30pm
  • Dr Orla Lynskey (Associated Professor of Law at London School of Economics)
  • Dr Michael Veale (Lecturer in Digital Rights and Regulation at University College London)
3:15pm
  • Matthew Gould CMG MBE (CEO at NHSX at Department of Health and Social Care)
  • Dr Ian Levy (Technical Director at National Cyber Security Centre)
  • Elizabeth Denham CBE (UK Information Commissioner at Information Commissioner's Office)
  • Simon McDougall (Executive Director, Technology and Innovation at Information Commissioner's Office)
Virtual Meeting
Monday 20 April 2020
2:00pm Private
2:30pm Public
The Government’s response to Covid-19: human rights implications - Oral evidence 20 April 2020
2:30pm
  • Rt Hon Robert Buckland QC MP (Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State at Ministry of Justice)
  • Andrew Waldren (Deputy Director, Human Rights Team at Ministry of Justice)
Virtual Meeting

Contact us

We receive a significant number of emails each day. All requests and invitations are considered but we do not respond directly to everyone. Please be aware, the committee does not look at individual cases or specific complaints.

  • Email: jchr@parliament.uk
  • Address: Joint Committee on Human Rights, Houses of Parliament. London. SW1A 0AA