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Would a Bill of Rights help?
This is just an idea I'm floating, I haven't given it a great deal of thought yet but I'm quite interested in people's opinions.
Do you think that establishing a democratic Bill of Rights - outlining exactly what rights (freedom of expression and religion, right to a fair trial, etc.) British citizens are entitled to - in a country like the UK would help to ease religious tensions?
The way I see it, such a Bill would have three main affects:
1. It would be a powerful statement of British identity: To be British is to be guaranteed the rights set forth in the Bill. This would emphasise that, whatever our differences, we are equals in political terms.
2. It would help ease a number of fears: Minorities would feel protected from oppression by the majority, while the majority would feel protected from a privilege minority.
3. It would provide a peaceful means of addressing grievances, as those who felt that their rights were being violated would have a sound legal footing.
Submitted on Fri, 2006-11-24 15:49
Re: Would a Bill of Rights help?
Sounds like a noble idea. Although similar bills haven't helped Black Americans much over the years. Or ethnic minorities in France either.
Now in the UK we have so few prison spaces, and a pretty rubbish rehabilitation rates as it is, that a bill would only serve to create more crimes that can't even be adequately punished. I also think that such a bill would actually put limits on certain ideas and beliefs (religious especially) as it would have to be debated as to what will be included....this leads the way for some things which some people hold dear being excluded.
Of course you can't please everyone, and I suppose the worst that can come as a result of such a bill would only last so long as the transitional generation does.
Re: Would a Bill of Rights help?
asaf.khan01,
I don't think that a Bill of Rights will solve all our problems, as you rightly point out there's still tension in countries which possess them. However, I do think that it would create a space for cross-culture dialogue. As long as I know that certain of my rights are protected, and whoever I'm debating/arguing with knows the same, then both of us might be more receptive to what the other is saying. In theory.
a bill would only serve to create more crimes that can't even be adequately punished.
I disagree. A Bill of Rights would operate in much the same way that the Human Rights Act does now - only with greater force and visibility. Now, despite numerous urban legends to the contrary, the only problem the Human Rights Act has created is that the government can't bend the rules as they used to. It could provide a basic, public guarantee of the right to a fair trial, freedom of thought and speech, etc. The main purpose would be to strengthen the rights that already exist and provide greater clarity on them.
Re: Would a Bill of Rights help?
We already have one dear. Hear of 1688 ?
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