European Convention on Human Rights: 75th Anniversary

Baroness Goudie Excerpts

Thursday 20th March 2025 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Goudie (Lab)]

My Lords, I thank the noble Lord, Lord Alton, for arranging to have this debate and for all his encouragement to me and many others in this House on human rights. I declare my interest as an ambassador working with the Georgetown Institute for Women, Peace and Security on a number of these issues. I thank also those who were kind enough to send me briefings for today.

I am pleased to speak on the 75th anniversary of the European Convention on Human Rights, a treaty that has safeguarded the dignity and freedom of more than 700 million people since 1950. The United Kingdom was among the first to ratify in 1951, in the aftermath of World War II, when nations were united to ensure that tyranny and injustice never prevailed again. The convention is more than a legal instrument; it is a moral compass. It enshrines fundamental freedoms and the rights to life, liberty, security and justice, and it protects individuals from discrimination, torture and unlawful imprisonment, ensuring equal protection under the law. This is not an abstract document; it has evolved to meet modern challenges while upholding its core mission—defending human dignity.

Its impact is evident particularly in Northern Ireland, where the Good Friday agreement enshrines the convention, ensuring human rights in devolved legislation. This safeguard has reinforced peace and provided independent remedies when state actions have failed. Article 6, guaranteeing a fair trial, has prevented miscarriages of justice. Landmark cases such as the exoneration of the Birmingham Six and Guildford Four illustrate how the convention has rectified grave wrongs and strengthened public trust in the judicial system.

Among other cases, in JD and A v the United Kingdom in 2019, a survivor of domestic abuse faced eviction after government housing benefit reforms failed to consider the need for a protected “panic room” under a government-sponsored safety scheme. The European court ruled that this violated Article 14, which protects against discrimination, highlighting the convention’s role in ensuring that policies do not disproportionately harm vulnerable women. In VCL and AN v the United Kingdom in 2021, two Vietnamese children trafficked into forced labour were arrested and imprisoned, despite the authorities knowing they were victims. The European court found that the UK had breached Article 4 on prohibition of slavery and Article 6 on right to a fair trial, emphasising that victims of trafficking should be protected and not prosecuted.

For those reasons, we must remain committed to the convention. Some have questioned whether to withdraw from this treaty. I caution against such thoughts, as doing so would undermine decades of progress and expose vulnerable populations to renewed injustices.

The convention’s influence extends beyond national borders, guiding legislative reforms, human rights education and justice in both post-conflict regions and modern societies. In Northern Ireland, adherence to the convention has reduced sectarian violence and safeguarded minority rights. In our courts, schools and communities, the convention has ensured that human rights are not abstract ideals but real, enforceable protections. When Governments are held to these high standards, society as a whole benefits, through fairer trials, inclusive education and transparent government.

Let us renew our commitment to this vital treaty. The European Convention on Human Rights remains as relevant today as it was 75 years ago. It is a cornerstone of democracy, peace and justice. I urge this House, and all who value fairness and human dignity, to stand united in its defence, ensuring that its protections guide us to a future where every person’s rights are upheld.

Syria

Baroness Goudie Excerpts

Thursday 13th March 2025 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Chapman of Darlington (Lab)]

On the issue of reopening the embassy, which closed I think in 2012, that is quite difficult. I do not have an update on that for the House today. The noble Lord will appreciate that these are very early days. As he would expect, we keep these things under review. On Israel, it would be right for what we hope will be the inclusive, politically diverse new Government in Syria to make those decisions when they are elected. It is right that we allow them time for that process to complete and for a new, fully representative Government in Syria to make their position known on behalf of the Syrian people when it comes to those issues.

[Baroness Goudie (Lab)]

My Lords, further to the Minister saying that the Government are consulting community workers and organisations, are they insisting that women make up 50% of those groups? At the last peace talks in Ukraine, there were no women at all, and we have made an undertaking here that women have to be part of all the peace talks. I do not believe that women would give away some of the intellectual property of their country so easily if they had any say in this, so it is important. Also, women will talk about investment, education, schooling and other issues that would never otherwise be discussed at the peace table—just closing down the conflict. We want to close it down, but we have to do it in the right way so that that country can continue, after all that has happened, to become a country of its own, where children will go into further education and its GDP will be much improved. It cannot continue in this way.

[Baroness Chapman of Darlington (Lab)]

We know now, from many contexts in recent history, how vital it is that women are included and central to these processes. My noble friend has made a very strong case. It is important that women have a say and are able to lead in the future rebuilding of their country.