Governing with no holds barred and fewer rights
If the Conservative Party wins the next election, it will scrap the Human Rights Act and replace it with a British Bill of Rights with “a whole range of caveats”, stated Justice Secretary Chris Grayling.
Ministers’ mixed messages on freedom and rights
The UK government may limit free speech for law-abiding members of minority communities in order to defend British values such as free speech and respect for minorities, home secretary Theresa May has threatened.
Bombing Iraq: falling into Isis trap?
The UK government is seeking parliament’s approval to join the USA in carrying out air strikes on Iraq. The aim is to weaken Isis forces, responsible for various atrocities. But the attack may strengthen them instead.
Diversity among bishops as ‘shared conversations’ on sexuality begin
A two-year process of conversations on sexuality has begun in the Church of England, at a gathering of bishops. Similar discussions are taking place in several other churches in Britain.
Rotherham, ‘political correctness’ and child protection
There has been widespread anger since an inquiry revealed that at least 1,400 children were sexually exploited in Rotherham from 1997-2013. Yet many adults in Britain are still in denial about the extent and seriousness of child sexual abuse.
Conservatives defeated over harsh bedroom tax
The Conservative-led UK government was defeated in the House of Commons yesterday (5 September) after their Coalition partners broke ranks over the controversial bedroom tax. Several Liberal Democrats joined forces with Labour MPs on an Affordable Home Bill.
Sri Lanka must change, urge unions and intellectuals
Many health professionals have gone on strike in Sri Lanka, though this has been suspended for a fortnight by court order. Other workers too are threatening industrial action if their pay is not raised to match the cost of living.
Boris Johnson calls for limit on presumption of innocence
Mayor of London Boris Johnson has called for an end to the presumption of innocence for those visiting war zones and powers to remove UK citizenship for those supporting a “terrorist state”.
Home secretary promise of crackdown on ‘non-violent extremism’
UK home secretary Theresa May has promised to get tough on “non-violent extremism” as well as terrorism. Unless this is narrowly defined, such measures may undermine civil liberties and do more to promote than to counter violence.
Guardian agrees ad accusing Hamas of 'child sacrifice'
A controversial advertisement supporting Israeli government action in Gaza was turned down by the Times but accepted by the Guardian. A version of the ad previously ran in the New York Times, Washington Post and Wall Street Journal (http://electronicintifada.net/sites/electronicintifada.net/files/styles/...).
