Responding to proposals by the Conservative Party to leave the European Convention on Human Rights, Kate Allen, Director of Amnesty International UK, said:

“The proposals threaten human rights across the globe.

“How can the Prime Minister call on the likes of Hong Kong and Afghanistan to respect human rights, when he is busy dismantling them at home?

“Human rights should not be dragged into Britain’s internal debate on Europe. The potential consequences are dire. The UK is saying to the rest of the world: ‘Pick and choose your human rights’.

“The likes of Belarus, Russia, Iran, China, Sri Lanka, Syria and Zimbabwe will be watching with interest.”