Should prisoners have the right to vote?
Should prisoners have the right to vote? And should the European Court of Human Rights have the power to give it to them?
A few days ago the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) ruled that Britain’s ban on prisoner voting was illegal. The judges said that our Parliament must pass new laws to allow prisoners voting rights.
I think the ECHR has an important role to play. It’s vital that Governments are under scrutiny. Serious breaches of human rights involving torture or the failure to ensure a free and fair judicial system must be investigated.
That’s the court’s purpose – to protect fundamental human rights. Things like the right to life and to freedom from torture or servitude. It is there to safeguard our rights to liberty, security and a fair trial.
I don’t believe those who set the court up believed that these included prisoner voting rights. The Court’s purpose was not to create new rights and law.
New laws should only be created by those who are at the mercy of the electorate and the ballot box. That way if the people don’t like the new laws then they can vote the lawmakers out. That’s democracy.
I’m keen to hear your views on this issue. Do you think that the Court has gone too far? Or do you agree with its decision to demand that the UK gives prisoners the vote?
Please let me know your views by filling out the survey below.
Many thanks, as always, for sharing your views with me
Best wishes
Gisela
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