Dear John,

Lockdown has now eased in most of England.

But while the end might appear to be in sight, our rights and freedoms are still at risk.

The Government passed legislation – the Coronavirus Act – which creates the most drastic reimagining of our civil liberties ever seen.

Since the start of the coronavirus outbreak people everywhere have shown they are willing to adapt to protect one another. 

Liberty has always supported proportionate action to protect lives. But the Coronavirus Act – which was rushed through Parliament in just one day - has failed to uphold people’s rights while leaving the most marginalised worst affected.

This law harms human rights and puts our civil liberties in danger because it has no firm end date. 

When this pandemic passes this law will still be on the statute books - and some of its powers can be triggered at any time. 

Sign the petition to get rid of the Coronavirus Act and force the Government to instead focus on a response to the pandemic which protects human rights.

Some facts about the Act – and why it must be repealed:

• It gives the police broad new powers to detain anyone who could be infectious. But the Crown Prosecution Service has said that every single charge made under the Act has been wrong. 
• Our investigative journalism unit, Liberty Investigates, found that under regulations accompanying the Act, people of colour are 54 per cent more likely to be fined than white people.
• It makes it legal for local councils to strip back social care. At least seven councils stopped providing even the most basic care services for disabled people in their areas.
• It threatens our right to protest.
• It failed to protect the most marginalised and the hostile environment has remained operational, even in the pandemic. 
• It allows the Government to suspend some elections. 

Remember, the Act has no firm end date. These powers could remain in place well beyond the pandemic.

But there is some hope. Thanks to Liberty and others, MPs can vote on whether to keep the Act or repeal it entirely. The Government will be reluctant to do this. But we must use this review as an opportunity to show how poor the Government’s response has been and why the Act must be repealed.

It is dangerous legislation that should never have been passed. The stranglehold on our civil liberties will remain until it’s scrapped.

Sign the petition to ask Government to get rid of the Coronavirus Act and focus on a response to the pandemic that protects our rights and freedoms.

Stay safe and stay well.

Martha Spurrier

Director

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