UK: New human rights ad campaign launched at London underground station

Giant Westminster station posters feature yellow-and-black hazard tape with ‘a lot needs fixing’ message

To-do list including an immediate suspension of arms to Israel, scrapping of Rwanda and Troubles Acts and a major overhaul of the asylum system

‘The new MPs should see that human rights are the answer, not the problem’ - Sacha Deshmukh  

Amnesty International has launched a powerful new ad campaign on the London Underground at Westminster station targeting the new Government, proclaiming human rights as the answer to “fix” the many challenges faced by the country.

The posters, set to run until the end of the month, feature arresting yellow-and-black hazard tape with the message “a lot needs fixing” and underneath “human rights are the answer”. 

Sacha Deshmukh, Amnesty International UK’s Chief Executive, said:  

“The new Government has the opportunity to write an exciting new chapter for human rights in the UK after a period in which much damage was done.  

“It was truly chilling to live through a time when human rights were simply legislated away so that the Government could pursue its political policies. 

“The human rights to-do list is a long one and must include immediately suspending arms sales to Israel, repealing the Illegal Migration and Rwanda Acts, scrapping the grossly-unjust Troubles Act, and making human rights universal once more by reversing the appalling ‘carve outs’ from the Human Rights Act for politically-unpopular groups like people in prison and people seeking asylum.  

“The new MPs should see that human rights are the answer, not the problem and send that message loud and clear to the Government.”

First 100 Days to-do list:  

UK arms being used in Gaza

Problem: There is a clear risk of UK arms being used by Israeli forces to commit war crimes in Gaza and elsewhere, yet recent Government figures show that the UK has issued more than 100 export licences for arms transfers to Israel between 7 October 2023 and 31 May, with no arms export licence application rejected or existing licence suspended or revoked,

Answer: UK arms transfers should cease immediately. The UK should also fully support all international justice processes over the crisis in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories, including ongoing legal cases at the International Court of Justice and measures taken by the International Criminal Court. Should the situation arise, the UK government should be prepared to act on ICC arrest warrants, including against any Israeli political and military leaders.   

Homelessness and housing crisis

Problem: The last Government oversaw a huge rise in homelessness, and failed to tackle insecure tenancies or grapple with the severe lack of affordable, safe and decent housing. As a consequence, there is a housing crisis in the UK. 

Answer: Amnesty is calling on the new Government to make immediate efforts to address the crisis, including by: ensuring that homelessness is not a criminal offence; recognising a decent standard of dignified and safe housing as a legally-enforceable right, and making sure people with lived experience are actively involved in creating solutions to address the housing and homelessness crisis.   

Restoring legal compliance and human dignity to asylum policy 

Problem: The previous Government routinely violated the rights and denied the basic dignity of people seeking asylum in the UK, and was intent on ignoring all of our obligations under the refugee convention and other international rules. In addition, politicians’ toxic depictions of refugees and migrants have damaged the UK’s international reputation.  

Answer: The new Government must act on its announcement that it will scrap the Rwanda refugee scheme by taking responsibility for asylum claims made in the UK, granting asylum here to refugees (where applicable) who make these claims. However, it must go further, changing official language and policy. Politicians’ toxic depictions of refugees and migrants have damaged the UK’s international reputation. Our asylum system must be made to focus on delivering as fairly and efficiently as possible the security and certainty to which every refugee is entitled, however they may arrive, in compliance with our international obligations, the rule of law and basic respect for every human person.  

Repeal the Troubles Act and allow families truth and justice  

Problem: The Troubles Act was universally opposed by victims groups in Northern Ireland as it put justice and accountability permanently out of reach of loved ones.

Answer: The new Government has committed to repealing and replacing the Troubles Act, which is welcome, necessary and must be urgently acted upon. We must see judicial processes - such as inquests - reinstated, and victims’ rights to truth, justice and reparations fully realised. The Stormont House Agreement with adjustments, must be legislated for, and rights and the rule of law must be respected, protected and upheld.