René Cassin, a prominent Jewish organization advocating for human rights, has issued a letter to the six Conservative Party leadership candidates expressing concern over the negative portrayal of the European Convention on Human Rights.
The organization reminds the candidates that the Convention was envisioned by former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill and drafted by David Maxwell-Fyfe, a British lawyer who later became a Conservative Home Secretary. It highlights the importance of the Convention in maintaining the integrity of the United Kingdom and its role in promoting peace and stability in Europe.
René Cassin also emphasizes the historical ties between the Conservative Party and the Convention, noting that it was a response to the atrocities of the Holocaust and the aftermath of war-torn Europe. The organization points out that several Jewish lawyers who survived the Holocaust also worked on the drafting of the Convention, demonstrating the strong and historic partnership between the British and Jewish communities in upholding human rights.
The letter further states that a withdrawal from the Convention would have serious consequences, potentially leading to the unraveling of the United Kingdom, as it is embedded in current devolution agreements and the Good Friday Agreement. This goes against the core principles of the Conservative and Unionist Party.
Moreover, René Cassin highlights the international significance of the Convention and the UK’s positive contribution to promoting a rules-based global order. A withdrawal from the Convention would place the UK in the company of rogue states like Belarus and Russia, and would be a rejection of Britain’s esteemed place in world politics.
In conclusion, the organization calls on the Conservative leadership candidates to uphold the UK’s commitment to the European Convention on Human Rights and protect the rights of all citizens. It emphasizes that human rights are not just important for the stability and safety of society, but particularly crucial for protecting minorities from the dangers of populist rhetoric and authoritarianism.
This letter has been distributed by Pressat, a leading press release distribution service in the UK.
