Liberal Democrats Creating Freedom and Justice Policies on Civil Rights and Liberties Active Citizens, Not Passive Subjects There is no other issue concerning political values and public policy where the lines can be more clearly drawn between Liberal Democrats on the one hand and our political opponents on the other than that of the rights of the individual and the protection of minorities. We want to see a society which gives individual men and women opportunities to pursue their aims, develop their talents and fulfil their potential. We believe that one of the key roles of the state and the community is to enhance the liberty of the individual and create opportunities for diversity of life and expression. Safeguarding Rights and Freedoms Liberal Democrats would: * Introduce a United Kingdom Bill of Rights, as part of a Written Constitution. As a first step, we would promote equality and opportunities for all through a comprehensive Equality Act that extends protection to those areas omitted from current legislation. * * Establish a UK Human Rights Commission to provide advice and to bring proceedings for breaches of the Bill of Rights so that there is recourse for those facing discrimination on the grounds of gender, race, age, religion, sexual orientation, disability and any other improper grounds. * Create a Supreme Court to replace the Judicial Committee of the House of Lords, with the responsibility to protect the rights of citizens guaranteed by the Bill of Rights and to strike down legislation that is unconstitutional. * Promote a Constitution for Europe to define and limit the powers of the European Union, and to guarantee decentralisation, diversity and a clear distribution of power between regions, Member states and the EU itself. It would enhance transparency and accountability by clarifying and simplifying the basis for European co-operation. Fighting Discrimination We would: * Take steps to improve racial equality including multi-cultural education, opportunities in employment and training, reform of immigration law, and a concerted response to racial harassment. * Ensure women's equality and opportunities are promoted in public life, in pay, benefits and job status; encourage greater enforcement of pay and discrimination legislation. * Guarantee equal opportunities for all people regardless of sexual orientation. * Enhance legislation to ban discrimination against people on the grounds of disability and secure the civil rights of disabled people. We would work with disabled people and their representative organisations to draw up a charter of rights for disabled people. Extending the Rights of Young People Liberal Democrats would ensure equal opportunities and financial independence for young people through increased rights of participation and representation, particularly by introducing voting at 16 Protecting Privacy We would: * Introduce stronger Freedom of Information legislation establishing a citizens' right to know and ending excessive secrecy of government. * Act to prevent media mergers and take-overs where they threaten quality, access and diversity and legislate to curb anti-competitive practices in the media, particularly predatory pricing in the newspaper market. * Ensure proper safeguards for academic freedom by reducing government intervention in teaching and research. * Legislate for greater protection of privacy as an enforceable right including stronger enforcement of press standards; greater access to personal files; strengthened protection against intrusive surveillance, and regulation of private security firms. Fighting for a Fairer and More Open Society We would: * Improve accountability and governance of the police extending police-community consultation, the introduction of an independent complaints procedure and reform of the National Inspectorate. We would improve police recruitment procedures to achieve more representative police forces. * Oppose the introduction of compulsory national identity cards as the limited impact on crime would not justify the associated high cost, increase in bureaucracy and reduction in civil freedoms. * Ensure international co-operation to defeat drug dealing and terrorism, through an effective and accountable Europol. Improving Access to Justice We would: * Establish a Ministry of Justice for England and Wales with responsibility for the administration of the legal system; keeping the law up-to-date, fair, workable, and intelligible; the courts; the legal profession and legal aid; and to ensure the proper separation of powers between the legal system and law enforcement, * Set up an Administration Commission to improve remedies for maladministration, under whose umbrella Ombudsmen for all areas of public administration would operate. We would also give them the power to initiate investigations and ensure their decisions are implemented. * Ensure equal access to the law through a commitment to legal aid. We will carefully monitor the government's controversial reform of access to legal services to ensure that there remains genuine access to justice. Policies stated in this briefing represent policy passed by the conference of the Liberal Democrats. A fully costed manifesto containing our priorities for government is published at each general election. This is a summary of the Federal White Paper No. 2 Partners for Freedom & Justice, and the Policy Review Paper Moving Ahead - Towards a Citizens' Britain. February 2001 Produced by the Policy Unit. Printed by Liberal Democrats, 4 Cowley Street, London SW1P 3NB Published and Promoted by Chris Rennard, 4 Cowley Street, London SW1P 3NB Creating Freedom and Justice