City Research Online

Abstract

This article considers the implications of the UK’s vote to leave the European Union in relation to the fundamental rights of EU citizens. The possible consequences for individual rights protection are examined in light of UK Prime Minister Theresa May’s decision to formally trigger art.50 TEU, the government’s paper on ‘Safeguarding the Position of EU Citizens Living in the UK and UK Nationals Living in the EU’ and the recently published European Union (Withdrawal) Bill. This article intends to highlight an issue that has seemingly been set aside amidst the chaotic developments related to Brexit – the protection of fundamental human rights. The article’s central argument is twofold. Firstly, the article contends that the UK Government currently risks potentially breaching several substantive provisions contained within the European Convention on Human Rights because a satisfactory regime of rights protection for EU citizens living in the UK, or British citizens in other EU Member States, has not yet been clearly established. Secondly, the plan to exclude the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights must be seriously reconsidered. The Charter currently provides the strongest level of protection for certain human rights in Europe, and it is argued that it cannot be so easily sacrificed. The UK, irrespective of Brexit, must be serious about its commitment to the protection of human rights.

Publication Type:	Article
Additional Information:	This is a pre-copyedited, author-produced version of an article accepted for publication in European Human Rights Law Review, following peer review. The definitive published version Yong, A. (2017). Forgetting human rights - the Brexit debate. European Human Rights Law Review, 2017, pp. 469-479. is available online on Westlaw UK or from Thomson Reuters DocDel service.
Subjects:	J Political Science > JC Political theory J Political Science > JX International law K Law > KD England and Wales
Departments:	The City Law School > Academic Programmes The City Law School > Institute for the Study of European Laws
SWORD Depositor:	Symplectic Administrator

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