Amnesty International enters Brexit bill fray to warn of precedent for ignoring treaties

An Amnesty International protest in Belfast in 2008, which accused George Bush of ripping up international law over the use of Guantanamo Bay naval facility to house suspected jihadists and enemy combatantsAn Amnesty International protest in Belfast in 2008, which accused George Bush of ripping up international law over the use of Guantanamo Bay naval facility to house suspected jihadists and enemy combatants
An Amnesty International protest in Belfast in 2008, which accused George Bush of ripping up international law over the use of Guantanamo Bay naval facility to house suspected jihadists and enemy combatants
International campaign group Amnesty International has added its voice to the chorus of condemnation of Boris Johnson’s decision to pursue the latest Brexit bill.

The Internal Market Bill has been roundly criticised for “over-riding” elements of the Withdrawal Agreement Mr Johnson had struck with the EU last year, by writing into law commitments to protect free and smooth intra-UK trade.

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Trade unions and anti-Brexit politicians have condemned the move.

Now Amnesty’s Northern Irish branch, which in recent years has focussed its activities on pushing for a more liberal abortion regime and for gay marriage, has issued a statement from its local director Patrick Corrigan.

It states: “This Bill is deeply concerning in what it says about the government’s attitude towards honouring international legal commitments.

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“Worryingly, the Bill fundamentally undermines the Northern Ireland Protocol, which was designed to protect the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement and the principle of no diminution of rights for people in Northern Ireland.

“Beyond our shores, it sends a troubling message that risks undermining the government’s international legal commitments and its support for a rules-based international order.”

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