Thu, 11 Dec 2025 12:22:42 +1100
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
<https://www.theguardian.com/law/2025/dec/09/celebrities-keir-starmer-echr-stephen-fry-joanna-lumley-michael-palin-adrian-lester>
"The actors Michael Palin, Stephen Fry and Joanna Lumley are among 21
well-known figures calling on Keir Starmer to drop plans to weaken human rights
law and instead “take a principled stand” for torture victims, on the eve of a
crucial European summit.
As David Lammy prepares to attend a Council of Europe meeting in Strasbourg
that will discuss legal changes to stop bogus asylum claims, the novelist
Julian Barnes, the actor Adrian Lester and the comedian Aisling Bea have also
signed a letter telling the prime minister: “Any attempt at undermining
universal protections is an affront to us all and a threat to the security of
each and every one of us.”
Lammy, the deputy prime minister and justice secretary, is expected to argue on
Wednesday that the European convention on human rights (ECHR) could be
reinterpreted to limit the scope of rights under article 3, which prohibits
torture and “inhuman or degrading treatment”.
Under sweeping changes announced last month by the home secretary, Shabana
Mahmood, the government said it wanted to introduce measures to stop asylum
seekers using their rights in the ECHR to a family life to avoid deportation.
The Conservative party and Reform UK have both called for withdrawal from the
convention altogether.
But ministers have come under growing pressure from human rights campaigners,
Labour peers and some backbenchers to resist making changes, saying it would
open the door to countries abandoning some of the world’s most vulnerable
people.
The letter, addressed to the prime minister, says: “We are writing to you as
people who care deeply about this country, its global influence and the values
that define us as a country.
“The European convention on human rights (ECHR) and the UN convention
against torture are at the heart of [Britain’s] legacy. They have saved lives,
delivered justice and shown the world that Britain leads not by fear, but by
principle. Any attempt at undermining their universal protections is an affront
to us all and a threat to the security of each and every one of us.”
The letter adds: “In accordance with hundreds of years of proud global
leadership Britain must remain steadfast in upholding and championing our
shared right to live a life free from torture, without exception. This means
resisting any attempts to roll back vital protections and demanding
accountability for perpetrators without fear or favour. We are looking to you
to choose a future in which our country continues to stand tall for dignity,
justice, humanity and hope.”"
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
"The actors Michael Palin, Stephen Fry and Joanna Lumley are among 21
well-known figures calling on Keir Starmer to drop plans to weaken human rights
law and instead “take a principled stand” for torture victims, on the eve of a
crucial European summit.
As David Lammy prepares to attend a Council of Europe meeting in Strasbourg
that will discuss legal changes to stop bogus asylum claims, the novelist
Julian Barnes, the actor Adrian Lester and the comedian Aisling Bea have also
signed a letter telling the prime minister: “Any attempt at undermining
universal protections is an affront to us all and a threat to the security of
each and every one of us.”
Lammy, the deputy prime minister and justice secretary, is expected to argue on
Wednesday that the European convention on human rights (ECHR) could be
reinterpreted to limit the scope of rights under article 3, which prohibits
torture and “inhuman or degrading treatment”.
Under sweeping changes announced last month by the home secretary, Shabana
Mahmood, the government said it wanted to introduce measures to stop asylum
seekers using their rights in the ECHR to a family life to avoid deportation.
The Conservative party and Reform UK have both called for withdrawal from the
convention altogether.
But ministers have come under growing pressure from human rights campaigners,
Labour peers and some backbenchers to resist making changes, saying it would
open the door to countries abandoning some of the world’s most vulnerable
people.
The letter, addressed to the prime minister, says: “We are writing to you as
people who care deeply about this country, its global influence and the values
that define us as a country.
“The European convention on human rights (ECHR) and the UN convention
against torture are at the heart of [Britain’s] legacy. They have saved lives,
delivered justice and shown the world that Britain leads not by fear, but by
principle. Any attempt at undermining their universal protections is an affront
to us all and a threat to the security of each and every one of us.”
The letter adds: “In accordance with hundreds of years of proud global
leadership Britain must remain steadfast in upholding and championing our
shared right to live a life free from torture, without exception. This means
resisting any attempts to roll back vital protections and demanding
accountability for perpetrators without fear or favour. We are looking to you
to choose a future in which our country continues to stand tall for dignity,
justice, humanity and hope.”"
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
