The States voted yesterday in favour of a proposition that enshrined the European Convention on Human Rights – to which Jersey has been signed upsince 1951 – in the Island’s courts.
From 10 December Islanders will no longer have to travel to Strasbourg to have their cases heard.
Some States Members thought that Jersey did not need to sign up to the convention and that it ‘went too far’.
But the Bailiff, Sir Philip Bailhache, presiding, reminded Members that the House had already voted in favour of the law in 2000 and that they were just being asked whether Islanders should be able to have their cases heard at home.
Chief Minister Frank Walker, who proposed the legislation, said it was a forward step for the people of Jersey.
‘It’s not about whether we embrace human rights, it’s about when,’ he said.
‘This does not confer any new rights or obligations.
It means that anyone is Jersey can have their case heard in the Royal Court.’
