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.