David Cameron has claimed human rights laws are stopping Britain from protecting its citizens from terrorists in a landmark speech to the Council of Europe. The Prime Minister is trying to push through reforms of the European Court of Human Rights over fears it has too many powers to overrule national governments.
In a speech to the Strasbourg assembly, Mr Cameron said the whole concept of human rights laws was in danger of becoming "distorted" and "discredited" because of the court's decisions.
"We do have a real problem when it comes to foreign national who threaten our security," he said. "The problem today is that you can end up with someone who has no right to live in your country, who you are convinced -- and have good reason to be convinced -- means to do your country harm. And yet there are circumstances in which you cannot try them, you cannot detain them and you cannot deport them."
"So having put in place every possible safeguard to ensure that (human rights) rights are not violated, we still cannot fulfil our duty to our law-abiding citizens to protect them." |