This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk_politics/6345477.stm

The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Blitz on human rights 'nonsense' Blitz on human rights 'nonsense'
(about 2 hours later)
A more "common sense" approach to human rights laws is needed by public bodies who sometimes misinterpret them, the Lord Chancellor is to say.A more "common sense" approach to human rights laws is needed by public bodies who sometimes misinterpret them, the Lord Chancellor is to say.
In a speech later Lord Falconer will say the importance of the Human Rights Act has been "clouded by nonsense".In a speech later Lord Falconer will say the importance of the Human Rights Act has been "clouded by nonsense".
The Tories have said they would scrap the Act altogether claiming it is being abused by criminals.The Tories have said they would scrap the Act altogether claiming it is being abused by criminals.
But Lord Falconer will say that if rulings do not make common sense, then the Act has been wrongly interpreted.But Lord Falconer will say that if rulings do not make common sense, then the Act has been wrongly interpreted.
Lord Falconer will give a speech at Manchester University, to set out a campaign to explain the Act to public rights workers. He will give a speech at Manchester University, to set out a campaign to explain the Act to public rights workers.
Human rights and common sense go together Lord Falconer 'Absolute nonsense'
His department will work with staff in "frontline services", like education, probation and the police, to make sure the laws are being interpreted correctly. It follows several reports of cases, where the rights of criminals appear to have been put above public safety.
"Human rights are there to protect the public, not put people at risk," he said.
"Too often much of the real importance of human rights has been clouded by nonsense.
"Human rights and common sense go together. There have been problems with how human rights and the Human Rights Act have been interpreted."
Controversial rulings
It follows an outcry over several controversial interpretations of the Human Rights Act.
These include a convicted paedophile being allowed to use a gym shared by school pupils and a suspected car thief who was served fried chicken during a 20-hour siege.These include a convicted paedophile being allowed to use a gym shared by school pupils and a suspected car thief who was served fried chicken during a 20-hour siege.
Prime Minister Tony Blair condemned a High Court ruling returning nine asylum seekers who hijacked a plane at Stansted, to Afghanistan as an abuse of common sense. What we are trying to do is to bust these myths Lord Falconer
Lord Falconer told the BBC that was "absolute nonsense".
"Common sense would tell you you are not entitled to food if you are running away from the police. You are not entitled to not have your photograph shown if you are a convicted murderer on the run."
He added: "What we are trying to do is to bust these myths".
In some cases press reporting incorrectly attributed decisions to human rights legislation he said.
'Scapegoat' warning
But he admitted: "There have been problems with how human rights and the Human Rights Act have been interpreted."
Ministers have also been warned to stop using the act as a "convenient scapegoat" for government failings, by the Commons joint select committee on human rights.
Conservative leader David Cameron has said he wants the Human Rights Act to be replaced with a British Bill of Rights to protect UK citizens.Conservative leader David Cameron has said he wants the Human Rights Act to be replaced with a British Bill of Rights to protect UK citizens.
But in November the Commons joint select committee on human rights warned ministers to stop using the act as a "convenient scapegoat" for government failings. Prime Minister Tony Blair condemned a High Court ruling returning nine asylum seekers who hijacked a plane at Stansted, to Afghanistan as an abuse of common sense.
There were reports of plans to make sweeping changes to human rights laws last year - but a government review recommended that new guidance should be given on interpreting the Act instead.There were reports of plans to make sweeping changes to human rights laws last year - but a government review recommended that new guidance should be given on interpreting the Act instead.
Lord Falconer's department will work with staff in "frontline services", like education, probation and the police, to make sure the laws are being interpreted correctly.
A handbook explaining key human rights principles for public officials has also been produced.A handbook explaining key human rights principles for public officials has also been produced.