Human Rights and Wrongs

The Reith Lectures

BBC

Society & Culture, Science, Government, Technology

4.2 • 770 Ratings

🗓️ 4 June 2019

⏱️ 43 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

Jonathan Sumption argues that judges - especially those of the European Court of Human Rights - have usurped power by expanding the interpretation of human rights law. Lord Sumption argues that concepts of human rights have a long history in the common law. But by contrast, the European Convention on Human Rights has become a dynamic treaty, taking on new interpretations and powers. Article 8 – the right to private and family life – is the most striking example. Should these decisions be made by judges or parliament? The lecture is recorded before an audience in the old Parliament House in Edinburgh.

The Reith Lectures are presented and chaired by Anita Anand and produced by Jim Frank. Editor: Hugh Levinson

Transcript

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0:00.0	You're about to listen to a BBC podcast, but this is about something else you might enjoy.
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0:35.0	check out BBC Sounds.
0:41.3	BBC Sounds, music, radio, podcasts.
0:48.3	Welcome to the 2019 BBC Reith Lectures with the former Supreme Court Justice Jonathan Sumpchin.
0:53.3	In his series, he's exploring the complex relationship between politics and the law. In this third podcast, Jonathan
0:55.8	Sumption looks at the battleground of law and politics, namely human rights. Welcome to the third
1:06.5	of this year's Reef Lectures with the former Supreme Court Justice, Jonathan Sumpion.
1:11.6	We're in Edinburgh's Parliament House, a building which dates back to the 16th century.
1:16.6	This place has long been home to the Court of Sessions, the highest court in Scotland.
1:21.6	And here in the Great Hall, we are dominated by a stunning stained glass window,
1:26.6	depicting the moment King James
1:28.4	the 5th confirmed the Court of Sessions right here in 1532. This is a place, therefore,
1:35.2	steeped in regal and legal history, an entirely suitable setting for Jonathan Sumpion to continue
1:41.7	his series of lectures on the role of the law in our public and private life.
1:47.1	So far, Jonathan has questioned what he calls Laws Expanding Empire and discussed how best democracy can accommodate political difference.
1:55.8	Today, he will be taking a look at human rights, in particular the role of the European Convention
2:00.9	on Human Rights and the Strasbourg Court.
	...

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