More than three-quarters (79 percent) of young people are concerned they’ll be left with fewer rights after Brexit, according to a new study by Amnesty International.
The survey, which spoke to 1,640 people aged between 18 and 24, also found that 75 percent of young people were concerned about ‘Henry VIII’ powers, and more than half of leave voters were also concerned about rights reduction.
Kate Allen, Amnesty International UK’s Director, said: “Leaving the EU doesn’t have to mean leaving rights behind. The Withdrawal Bill must not be used as a Trojan horse for reducing our rights.
“Young people in Britain care about their rights and don’t want to see them taken away because of Brexit.”
Hang On, Brexit and Our Rights?
Image Credit: Anna Dziubinska / Unsplash
Following the vote to leave the European Union, there’s a lot that needs to be done to untangle the UK from the bloc of countries.
Prime Minister Theresa May triggered Article 50, the official process of leaving the EU, back in March 2017, which means have until 2019 to complete the process.
Young people in Britain care about their rights and don’t want to see them taken away because of Brexit.
Kate Allen, Amnesty International UK
However, there are still lots of questions about what leaving will mean for our rights. For example, we don’t know what will happen to the data and worker’s rights protections in the EU Charter, or what will happen with Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.
These uncertainties are also reflected in Amnesty’s findings, with many young people unsure about what it means for them. Almost a third (29 percent) didn’t know how Brexit would impact their rights. A further 29 percent said they should they would have the same protections as before, but 38 percent thought they’d be left with fewer rights.
Henry VIII Powers?
Video Credit: RightsInfo
Another area flagged by the survey was the potential use of Henry VIII powers, with 75 percent of young people saying it was a concern to them.
The long-dead monarch has popped back into the news, after revelations that the Government might use powers he invented back in 1539 to make changes to legislation without going through Parliament.
While some claim this is necessary to just simply get through the sheer amount of paperwork related to leaving the EU, others say it would threaten democracy by sidestepping scrutiny and accountability.
Ms Allen added: “Under current proposals, Ministers are not just being given a blank cheque, but rather a blank chequebook to go on editing laws and protections behind closed doors, without due consultation of parliament and proper safeguards for our rights.
“It’s no wonder young people find this suspicious and concerning.”
