What just happened?
The Overseas Operations (Service Personnel and Veterans) Bill if introduced will restrict the ability to prosecute British soldiers serving abroad for war crimes.
£10 for 15 hours work? Labour Abuse in the UK
Hate Crime Bill Compromising Free Speech?
Since its introduction, the Hate Crime Bill has split opinion. On the one hand, many believe it will positively enhance much needed protection for underrepresented or marginalised groups. On the other, many are concerned that the new Bill could have serious, albeit unintended, implications on the fundamental right of freedom of expression.
Big Brother is Watching
Standing steadfast as the first legal challenge of its kind, the Court in R (Bridges) v Chief Constable of South Wales Police found that South Wales Police’s use of the technology not only failed to adequately protect privacy rights, but fatally, did not fully account for the ways in which use of the technology unjustly discriminates against BAME groups.
The Environment Belongs to us all Equally- Does it though?
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With the recent mass rekindling of the Black Lives Matter protests following the cases of police brutality in the US, other forms of institutionalized racism have come back to light as well. The UK’s Office for National Statistics reported that as of the data updated till 9th June 2020 “for all ages the rate of deaths involving COVID-19 for Black males was 3.3 times greater than that for White males of the same age, while the rate for Black females was 2.4 times greater than for White females.”
Modern Slavery in a World of Fast Fashion
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Faulty fabrics, unflattering clothing, and damage to the environment are amongst many of the negative impacts associated with fast fashion, that have graced headlines across the world, over the past few years. However, leading fast-fashion retailer ‘Boohoo’ are now facing allegations of a more sinister crime, Modern slavery. Over the past few weeks, tabloids have exposed the retailer, which has been “exploiting workers for many years inside textile factories, located in Leicester.”
'Conversion Therapy' Still Legal in the UK Despite Government Promise
In July, Boris Johnson made yet another pledge to ensure that so-called conversion therapy will be made illegal in the UK, naming the practice “absolutely abhorrent”. This statement comes two years after the same promise made by former prime minister Theresa May, yet no progress in banning the practice has been made so far.
One Doctor Enough to Section a Person?
Temporary changes have been made to the UK Mental Health Act (MHA) 1983 due to the coronavirus outbreak, the Coronavirus Act 2020 is a new UK law to help under staffed mental health services cope during times of crisis. Although currently, the changes don’t apply, they are available to be used if the situation demands so.
‘Rough Sex’ no Longer a Viable Defence to Murder
In a clause added to the Domestic Abuse Bill, on 6th July 2020, the House of Commons ruled out ‘consent for sexual gratification’ as a defense for serious harm caused to a person. This would make it difficult for defendants in cases of sexual harm, rape or murder to take the defense that the offence occurred ‘accidentally’ in the course of sexual act that was completely consensual.
Labour Abuse: Who Picks my Fruit?
At the beginning of the summer, the government launched its ‘Pick for Britain’ campaign, to encourage the unemployed, furloughed or students to take minimum wage harvesting and packing jobs in the agricultural sector. An inquiry carried out by BBC’s Farming Today has revealed what the new workers experienced when performing roles usually held by foreign workers. The things they were faced with ranged from poor industry practices to fully-fledged human rights abuses and situations that could qualify as modern slavery.
Benefits Ban Ruled as Indirectly Discriminatory
A York County Court has ruled that the use of the ‘No DSS’ letting ban is unlawful, due to indirect discrimination. The case was brought by the charity Shelter on behalf of a disabled single mother who enquired about renting a two-bedroom property in the city and was told her application would not be considered as she was in receipt of housing benefit.
