Recommendation 21

Section 19 of the Human Rights Act has its value in requiring the Minister to consider the impact of their legislation on Convention rights, which are protected under UK law. The Minister then confirms to Parliament that this process has taken place, and notifies Parliamentarians as to whether they are being asked to pass legislation that cannot be clearly stated to comply with our international obligations under the Convention. This should not be problematic. Ministers should want their legislation to be compatible with our Convention obligations and should take these obligations seriously. They must be open and clear with Parliament about the likely compatibility of their proposals with the ECHR.