November 20, 2018
Published on Rightsinfo.org:
As part of RightsInfo’s series celebrating the 20th anniversary of the Human Rights Act 1998 receiving Royal Assent, barrister Aimee Riese explains how the Act has influenced inquests, for example in enabling families to seek answers, and why it should be celebrated.
The Human Rights Act 1998 (HRA) should be celebrated for its impact on the inquest system. It means bereaved families can seek answers about the circumstances of the death of their loved ones. The Human Rights Act also enables coroners to raise concerns with relevant bodies to prevent future deaths, helping to rectify dangerous practices and learn lessons for the future.
This is because Article 2 of the Human Rights Convention, protects the right to life, and there are three key ways that the right to life has impacted our inquest system.