A matter of law

[andrewducker]

I'm somewhat confused by the fuss over the votes for prisoners stuff that's currently in the newspapers.

The government has to do _something_, as it's been found to be in the wrong by the Europan Court of Human Rights. However, it seems unsure what, exactly, it has to do to be in the right. I know that human rights legislation is going to have some grey areas, but is there a reason why the ECHR wouldn't say "You are doing X, which is wrong, in order to be compliant you must do Y."?

Comments

[marrog.livejournal.com]

I've been so disgusted by the stuff being spouted by politicians ('Physically ill'? Really? I actually felt a little ill reading that quote) on almost every side of the argument that I haven't been able to watch, really, but my understanding is that the issue was with the blanket ban, and with lack of solid precedent being set blah blah as above.

[andrewducker]

Apparently one of the differences that psychologists have found between authoritarians and liberals is that authoritarians tend to have their disgust reflex triggered by people breaking rules, while liberals tend to have it triggered by people being treated unfairly.

Which would fit your comment quite nicely :->

Edit: Don't ask me to find the study. I'm operating from memory here, so take with a pinch of salt.

[robhu.livejournal.com]

Of course what's unfair is in the eye of the beholder.

[andrewducker]

Absolutely, it depends on all sorts of factors.

[khbrown.livejournal.com]

The rules being broken to accommodate someone could be seen as being unfair >:-)