Washminster

Washminster
Washminster

Monday 15 June 2009

Human Rights and the Armed Forces

Lord Astor of Hever will ask today "Her Majesty’s Government what is their reaction to the judgment of the Court of Appeal on 18 May regarding the applicability of the Human Rights Act 1998 to members of the armed forces operating in combat zones."

In the case of R (Smith) v Secretary of State for Defence the Court of Appeal held that sending out soldiers without adequate protection could be an actionable breach of their human rights. A newspaper report can be found at: http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2009/may/18/british-soldiers-human-rights-battle