The father of a man with autism has launched a petition to save the Human Rights Act.
Mark Neary, from Cowley in London, says he used the Act to get son Steven, 27, out of care.
Fighting for “our” law: Mark Neary (left), with son Steven
Neary, a therapist, believes the Act could be scrapped if the Conservatives win the general election on 8 June.
Act will be scrapped
In November, Justice Secretary Liz Truss said she would scrap the Act and replace it with a UK Bill of Rights.
Neary, 58, fears a Bill of Rights would provide only a watered-down version of the protection currently offered.
During Christmas 2009 Steven went for what was meant to be a short stay in respite while his father recovered from illness. It was only supposed to be a short stay.
Almost a year in care
However, Steven’s stay in care ended up lasting almost a year. This was after Hillingdon Council raised concerns about his challenging behaviour and weight.
Neary said his son’s behaviour became more challenging because he wanted to return home.
He also maintains that his son gained weight due to medication he was put on while kept in care. He said Steven has lost 13 stone in the past two years since coming off the medication.
Neary tried local authority procedures to get Steven home, but got nowhere. When he turned to a solicitor, he got Steven home within days.
Human Rights Act protects family life
A judge later awarded Steven £35,000 after ruling his stay in care breached the Human Rights Act.
Article five of the Act protects liberty, while eight is concerned with the right to privacy and a family life.
Neary said: “That is the one (article eight) that really seems to cheese the Tories off. So that is the one I could see there being huge amendments to, even if it’s included at all.”
As Autism Eye published this story, the petition had more than 78,000 supporters.
It reads: “They’re our laws, and they’ve made the UK a far, far better place.”
We asked the Conservative Party to comment, but it did not respond.
You can view the petition here: www.change.org/p/urgently-protect-the-human-rights-act-it-helped-get-my-autistic-son-home
Published: 11 May 2017
