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Amnesty UK hits out at Theresa May for 'reckless' pledge to change human rights laws

Theresa May has been accused of ripping up the Human Rights Act (Picture: REX)
Theresa May has been accused of ripping up the Human Rights Act (Picture: REX)

The UK arm of Amnesty International has hit out at Theresa May, after she pledged to change human rights laws if they ‘get in the way’ of dealing with terror suspects.

As she addressed Conservative activists in Slough, Mrs May did not reference any particular policy proposals – but hinted at dramatic change.

She said: ‘I mean longer prison sentences for those convicted of terrorist offences. I mean making it easier for the authorities to deport foreign terrorist suspects back to their own countries.

‘And I mean doing more to restrict the freedom and movements of terrorist suspects when we have enough evidence to know they are a threat, but not enough evidence to prosecute them in full in court.

‘And if our human rights laws get in the way of doing it, we will change the law so we can do it.’

Now, Amnesty International have hit back at her claims – and accused her of ‘reckless and misinformed comments’.

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In a statement posted on Twitter, they said: ‘Theresa May’s comments are reckless and misinformed. This is exactly the time that human rights must be protected and cherished, not attacked and undermined.

‘Amnesty International will not stand by silently when threats are made to “rip up human rights laws”.

‘Human rights are there to protect all in society – that is just pure common sense. Whoever is in government after the 8 June election must ensure our human rights are protected.’

The criticism comes only a day before the general election – when Britons head to the polls to determine who will be the next Prime Minister of the UK.