Parliamentary committee joins calls for a Hillsborough Law Now

The UK Parliament's Joint Committee on Human Rights has issued a call to the Government, urging it to take further steps in improving state responses to major tragedies.

In a recent report, the Committee highlighted the necessity for stronger measures to ensure openness from public bodies and increased support for victims' families during inquests. The report stresses the persistent imbalance in legal resources between families and public institutions, which impacts effective participation and the uncovering of truth.

The Committee's findings resonate with the calls for a Hillsborough Law, as supported by BASW England. This proposed law change advocates for comprehensive reforms in the approach to official inquiries, aiming to prevent the prolonged injustices witnessed in the Hillsborough disaster and other public tragedies such as the Infected Blood scandal.

Key recommendations from the report include the introduction of a broad 'duty of candour' for all public bodies, backed by criminal sanctions, to encourage a culture of openness and accountability. The Committee also stresses the importance of addressing the disparity in legal support, suggesting further investigation into providing equitable resources for families to match those available to state institutions.

BASW England continues to stand in solidarity with the Hillsborough Law Now campaign and urges the Government to heed the Committee's recommendations to prevent future injustices and support bereaved families in their quest for truth and justice.

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Read the committee’s full report here.

Learn more about the Hillsborough Law Now campaign here.