EHRC statement on human rights implications of a second lockdown
Rebecca Hilsenrath, Chief Executive of the Equality and Human Rights Commission, said:
“A winter lockdown will bring different challenges from those we experienced earlier in the year.
"The Government must strike the right balance between limiting people’s exposure to Covid-19 to save lives, while protecting our most fundamental rights and freedoms, such as the right to a family life. Human rights can provide a clear and practical framework to help determine what are reasonable restrictions and what are not.
“Lessons must be learned from the first lockdown on, for example, the treatment of older people in care homes, the increase in domestic abuse and poor mental health, and the grave consequences for those left reliant on charities or support from their local community.
"Parliament must properly scrutinise and mitigate these collateral impacts on an ongoing basis, and reflect the considerable sacrifices already made by the British people.
“Ultimately, if we want to protect public health and save lives, then changes need to complement or enhance our human rights, not treat them as optional.”