CELTIC LEAGUE: PRISONERS SHOULD HAVE VOTING RIGHTS SAY UN

The United Nations Human Rights Committee has expressed its ongoing concern over the failure of the United Kingdom to grant convicted prisoners the right to vote. The UN say the situation may breach Article 10 of the Covenant and Civil and Political Rights.

The move is sure to increase pressure on the United Kingdom to introduce legislation to effect the change. It also has implications for dependent territories such as the Isle of Man.

The Celtic League has consistently promoted penal reform in all the Celtic countries and submitted evidence on a regular basis to Council of Europe prisons monitoring body the CPT.

The section of the UN Report is set out below:

«28. The Committee remains concerned at the State party's maintenance of section 3(1) of the Representation of the People Act 1983 prohibiting convicted prisoners from exercising their right to vote, especially in the light of the judgment of the European Court of Human Rights in Hirst v. United Kingdom (2005). The Committee is of the view that general deprivation of the right to vote for convicted prisoners may not meet the requirements of article 10, paragraph 3, read in conjunction with article 25 of the Covenant. (art.25)

The State party should review its legislation denying all convicted prisoners the right to vote in light of the Covenant.»

Related articles on Celtic News covering the UN Covenant on Civil and Political Rights here:

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J B Moffatt Director of Information Celtic League

29/07/08