NICOLA Sturgeon today launches her strongest attack yet on UK Government plans to replace European human rights protections with a British Bill of Rights.
The First Minister will denounce the move, promised by the Conservatives before the election, as "wholly unnecessary" and warn it will "diminish" the UK's reputation around the world.
Prime Minister David Cameron plans to replace the Human Rights Act, which enshrines in British laws the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), with a new British bill of rights.
But speaking alongside human rights campaigner Shami Chakrabarti, the director of Liberty, at the Pearce Institute in Govan, Ms Sturgeon will say: “At the moment, none of us know how this Bill of Rights could work.
"In fact, the UK Government doesn’t seem to have any idea.
"That’s because their pledge has created a completely unnecessary dilemma.
“Nobody believes that the UK Government will strengthen existing human rights protections.
"But the UK Government must also know that any legislation which weakens human rights protections, will diminish the UK’s reputation overseas, damage relations with devolved governments, and impact on the welfare of people within the UK."
The First Minister will tell her audience of civic leaders: "Repealing the human rights act meets no pressing need, and addresses no obvious problem.
"There is instead a clear risk that it will create legal confusion; harm people in the UK who need support and protection; and give comfort to illiberal governments around the world.
"No responsible government should even be considering such a step.”
The First Minister will use a speech at the Pearce Institute, Govan, to raise her concerns.
She will be joined by the director of Liberty, Shami Chakrabarti.
David Cameron has claimed rulings by the European Court of Human Rights and their impact on laws in Britain have "devalued" human rights.
A minority of Tories oppose the idea, as do the Labour Party and other opposition parties, potentially making for a close-run vote in the House of Commons.
In Scotland, the proposal is further complicated by
the 1998 Scotland Act, which states all legislation passed by Holyrood must be compatible with the ECHR.
Willie Rennie, the Scottish Lib Dem leader said the idea of a Bill was 'half baked.'
Scottish Conservative MSP Alex Johnstone said:"What Nicola Sturgeon either fails or refuses to understand is the plan is not to abolish the concept of human rights."
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