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Commenting in response to yesterday's European Court of Human Rights ruling which found that the rights of UK prisoners were breached when they were prevented from voting in elections, a spokesperson for the Equality and Human Rights Commission, said yesterday:

“It is for Parliament to decide how our laws reflect judgments from the European Court of Human Rights, and today’s ruling does not change that. The European Court cannot change the UK’s laws.

“It would be for Parliament to decide which of the possible Convention compliant approaches is introduced. It is important that the UK complies with the Convention not least to reinforce our position when we ask other countries to respect human rights.”

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Notes to Editors

• As a national expert on the law, the Commission has previously provided legal advice highlighting the options available. Details are available here:- Failure to resolve prisoner voting rights cases could result in damages awards, advises Commission
• The Equality and Human Rights Commission is a statutory body established under the Equality Act 2006. It is an independent body responsible for protecting and promoting equality and human rights in Great Britain. It aims to encourage equality and diversity, eliminate unlawful discrimination, and promote and protect human rights. The Commission enforces equality legislation on age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation. It encourages compliance with the Human Rights Act 1998 and is accredited by the UN as an ‘A status’ National Human Rights Institution.