UK: New government must repair UK's reputation as justice champion, says Amnesty

Reacting to the appointment of a new UK government last night, Amnesty International UK Campaigns Director Tim Hancock said:

“Amnesty International looks forward to working with the new UK government. Repairing the UK’s reputation as a champion of justice and fairness, both at home and abroad, must be a priority.  

“We need an Inquiry to finally draw a line under UK complicity in rendition, torture and secret detention overseas, and hold those responsible to account. The new Home Secretary Teresa May should scrap Control Orders and replace them with measures that respect people’s basic right to a fair trial.

“Both governing parties have committed to an integrated strategy to combat violence against Women's rights's rightss rights's rights's rights's rights in the UK, which is very encouraging. But with spending cuts sure to come soon, they must ensure that all Women's rights's rightss rights's rights's rights's rights fleeing violence are not denied the services they need, including those who are currently denied access to public funds.

“On the international stage, the UK should continue to show global leadership in fighting poverty and injustice, and support the Millennium Development Goals. David Cameron’s first test will come at the G8 next month, where the focus will be on maternal health. As an expectant father himself, we hope that he will show the UK’s commitment to tackling the scandal of one woman dying needlessly in childbirth around the world every single minute.”