The Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union

Part of 2. Questions to the Counsel General – in the Senedd at 2:21 pm on 10 January 2018.

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Photo of David Rees David Rees Labour 2:21, 10 January 2018

Thank you for that answer, Counsel General. The UK Government's approach to transferring EU law into UK law through the European Union (Withdrawal) Bill will not give the protection we should have for maintaining the EU charter of fundamental rights after we leave the EU. Senior lawyers are very concerned that the UK Government's refusal to incorporate the charter into UK law will weaken human rights protection. As an example, they've highlighted the free-standing right of equality under article 21 that has no counterpart in domestic law. In fact, the Equality Act 2010 has no constitutional status either. It's clear that the UK Government's legal analysis is similar to their sectoral analysis—a total sham. Following our departure from the EU, Wales wants to remain a nation that respects everyone and has reserved in statute the rights that we have gained in the EU. What analysis has the Welsh Government made of the impact of Brexit on the rights of Welsh citizens that have been gained as members of the EU, and how has it used the continuity Bill that it has prepared to include any protection of those rights?