The Human Rights Act matters – any new “bill of rights” should build on it, not replace it

Abstract

Introduced in 1998, the Human Rights Act has been a source of controversy with accusations of unfairness and a suspicion that it hinders efforts to curtail crime and terrorism. Conor Gearty reports on a recent LSE discussion of the Act, and finds that, despite criticism by the Conservatives in the past and a ‘rough patch’ under Labour, it is likely here to stay