A Hull man's controversial fight to get prisoners the right to vote has moved a step closer.
John Hirst, who's been in prison for 20 years himself, petitioned to the European Parliament.
It's now told the Government something must be done in the next 6 months.
Mr Hirst told us voting is someone's human right - no matter what they do and prisoners shouldn't be denied that.
Comment: Whilst I have submitted a petition to the Committee on Petitions at the EU Parliament, which has been declared admissible on both aspects; (a) Convicted prisoners should be able to vote in EU elections in spite of UK legislation to the contrary; and (b) The Life Licence scheme which means lifers still serve out their sentence in the community and lifers are subject to recall, and lifers must seek permission of the Minister of Justice to travel to Europe, is only governed by a Prison Service Order (secondary legislation) is against EU legislation.
The Viking FM news report confuses the decision made by the Committee of Ministers which has given the UK until December to take concrete measures to implement the decision in the Prisoners Votes Case Hirst v UK(No2).
2 comments:
John, prisoner's rights to vote is a human right no matter how you look at it, albeit through blinkered british government vote-protecting policy or whatever. However, you must admit that you don't take the same stance regarding democracy with your recent articles reporting the attack on the BNP press conference.
To accept democracy in any form is to allow people, regardless who they are the right to free speech. This includes such brain-hurts as Nick Griffin (who one must admit is NOT the most gifted and eloquent speaker in God's universe!)
"Mr Talkstoofast" could be an apt description of him. His vocal reaction to any press interview could be put down to trying to get his point of view across before the cameras stop rolling and eggs come flying in his direction!
If you seek to gain acceptance of basic human rights please consider the human rights of fascists as well, including those that make our un-elected laws! (our unfortunate government)
Now, that fine dorg Mr R. deserves a dog chew. Make sure he gets one!
BTW I didn't vote for the BNP at our local elections.
I couldn't vote for them because they won't let my black dad join the party. (He's not actually black, he just doesn't clean underneath his fingernails.)
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