Lee

Ref: CommHR/MOF/st 117-2025 The Rt Hon Shabana MAHMOOD MP Secretary of State for the Home Department of the United Kingdom Strasbourg, 23 September 2025 Dear Secretary of State, Allow me to begin by offering my best wishes in your new role. The regulation and policing of protests was one of my topics of interest during my recent visit to the United Kingdom (30 June-4 July). I would like to expand on my initial observations in my end-of-visit statement of 8 July. The policing of protests relating to the conflict in Gaza has become ever more prominent since my visit, especially following the proscription of the organisation Palestine Action, which has been criticised by UN experts and the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. I observe that large numbers of arrests. have reportedly been made for displaying placards or banners expressing solidarity with the organisation or disagreement with the government's decision to proscribe it. I am aware that 'support' for a proscribed group is an offence under the Terrorism Act 2000. In this regard I recall that domestic legislation designed to counter 'terrorism' or 'violent extremism' must not impose any limitations on fundamental rights and freedoms, including the right to freedom of peaceful assembly, that are not strictly necessary for the protection of national security and the rights and freedoms of others (see, for example, the ODIHR/Venice Commission Guidelines on Peaceful Assembly). I ask the government to take all necessary steps to ensure that the policing of protests conforms to this and related principles of law. I also recall my concern about the legal framework on protests that remains in place more generally, since it raises questions under the European Convention on Human Rights. Changes following the adoption of the Police Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022 and the Public Order Act 2023 continue to allow authorities to impose excessive limits on freedom of assembly and expression, and risk over-pol…

It's also worth noting that the (European) Commissioner for Human Rights has also written a letter regarding the right to protest in the UK, and the restrictions around that

#uk #politics #ukpolitics #humanrights

Ref: CommHR/MOF/st 134-2025 COUNCIL OF EUROPE COMMISSIONER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSAIRE AUX DROITS DE L'HOMME CONSEIL DE L'EUROPE The Lord ALTON of Liverpool Chair of the Joint Committee on Human Rights of the Parliament of the United Kingdom Ms Sarah OWEN MP Chair of the Women and Equalities Committee of the House of Commons of the United Kingdom Strasbourg, 3 October 2025 Dear Chair of the Joint Committee on Human Rights. Dear Chair of the Women and Equalities Committee, My mandate is to foster the effective observance of human rights in all member states of the Council of Europe. An important part of my work is to engage in dialogue with governments and parliaments of member states, and to assist them in addressing possible shortcomings in their laws and practices. I am writing to you in relation to the human rights situation of trans people, which was one of the topics of my recent visit to the United Kingdom (30 June to 4 July). During the visit, I also had an exchange with Lord Alton. In my end-of-visit statement of 8 July 2025, I expressed my concern about the current climate for trans people in the UK. I would like to provide you with some further observations, in view of your respective Committees interest in and engagement with this topic. These reflect similar observations shared with the Secretary of State for Education (Minister for Equalities), as well as the Chair of the Equality and Human Rights Commission. My observations relate to the need to respect the human rights of trans people, in line with the UK's international human rights obligations, including as regards further steps following the Supreme Court's judgment in For Women Scotland Ltd. v. The Scottish Ministers. This is particularly important as the Supreme Court did not engage with these human rights issues. I understand that an updated code of practice for services, public functions and associations has recently been submitted for consideration by the UK government, as the l…

according to their gender identity. This does not in any way diminish their right to be treated with dignity. to be protected from discrimination, and to be able to participate in all areas of everyday life. As I note in my end-of-visit statement, I observe a tendency to see the human rights of different groups as a zero-sum game. This has contributed to narratives which build on prejudice against trans people and portray upholding their human rights as a de facto threat to the rights of others. Such a zero-sum approach risks certain inferences being drawn from the UK Supreme Court judgment that could lead to widespread exclusion of trans people from many public spaces. This, in turn, may severely infringe on their ability to participate fully and equally in society. This is particularly the case, as discussions about how access to services and facilities will have to be regulated following the judgment have tended towards the exclusion of trans people. It would therefore be crucial for all stakeholders to receive clear guidance on how inclusion of trans people can be achieved across all areas, and how exclusion can be minimised to situations in which this would be strictly necessary and proportionate, in line with well-established human rights principles. In reality, tensions between the human rights of different groups in this context are likely to be exceptional in nature, and resolvable through nuanced, reasonable and balanced accommodations. This would also be in line with the approaches taken by various bodies of the Council of Europe (such as the Committee on the Prevention of Torture (CPT) or the Group of Experts on Violence Against Women (GREVIO)), which recognise the particular vulnerability of trans people, and which begin from the position of their inclusion within spaces according to their gender identity with exceptions made on a case-by-case basis as necessary. Another area of concern is that blanket practices or policies on access to gender-segreg…

The (European) Commissioner for Human Rights has written a letter to UK parliamentarians regarding trans rights in the UK - which say trans inclusion is a human rights issue, and that they need to rewrite the EHRC guidance

Let's see if this actually does anything 🤞

#trans #transrights ##ukpolitics

Scrap the Bathroom Ban 🚨This is urgent🚨 Bridget Phillipson, the Minister for Women and Equalities, has a decision to make. The EHRC, a regulator mired in controversy over anti-trans views, has sent a new draft Code of Prac...

Here's a link to TransActuals letter campaign about the trans bathroom ban - all you have to do is put in your details and it does the rest for you!

#trans #uk #ukpolitics

actionnetwork.org/letters/scra...

A small rainbow appearing over the pitch at St James's park. The sky is blue and the pitch is being watered with the big spray hoses. In the background you can see the corner between the leazes end and the east stand

A white transmasc wearing a red t shirt and a green/beige jacket. He has a shaved head and is wearing headphones

Back to my regular public stadium tours now I'm finished with the rooftop tours until next year. I hadn't realised how much I'd adjusted to being up on the roof 😳 😅

Oh wow these are amazing!

A white transmasc wearing a hard hat that reads 'rooftop tours'. He is also wearing an orange high vis and a green rain jacket

Plastic panes in a Cantilever roof, with white metal beams

St James's park, taken from the roof of the Milburn stand/leazes stand corner. The stadium is empty. There a heat/light lamps on the pitch

Did my final rooftop tour of 2025! I'm scheduled to do regular stadium tomorrow, private tours during the week, and then I'm off to Spain next weekend, which is the last weekend of the rooftop tours.

Until 2026, rooftops ❤️

#nufc #NewcastleUnited #football #TourGuide #StJamesPark #NewcastleUponTyne

A white transmasc wearing a burgundy hoodie

As of today, I've officially been a private carer for men with mental health issues for 6 whole years. SIX YEARS. I never thought I'd be in this job for as long as I have.

One day, I'll be free on this industry and everything that comes with it - and that day cannot come soon enough #carer #carers

A white transmasc wearing a grey hoodie with the hood up

7.5 years on T today 🎊 feeling incredibly grateful and lucky to have gotten this far

#ftm #ftmtrans #transftm #trans #testosterone

The white water and foam coming off the North sea. You can see Heather and longsands grass and trees overlooking the water

Part of the ruins of tynemouth priory

Some of the ruins of tynemouth priory in the distance, taken thru a stone archway. To the right is a wall from a wwII bunker.

A white transmasc wearing a black beanie, black hoodie, green shirt, and luminous high vis jacket

Had a pretty last minute car park shift, followed by a trip to Tynemouth 🥰

#tynemouth #coast #northeast #northeastengland

A white transmasc wearing a white hard hat that says 'rooftop tours', a green jacket, and an orange high vis. He is stood on the roof of st james park

Geordies are hardy folk! Yellow wind warning today, yet still managed to push ahead with 1 of our 3 rooftop tours today. The rest had to be cancelled bc it was simply too much/unsafe, but the fact one happened is incredible - and an hour I'll not be forgetting any time soon

#nufc #NewcastleUnited

Council blocks calls to oppose Government’s Digital ID scheme The controversial scheme was announced by Keir Starmer as part of measures to tackle immigration

Disappointing and frustrating from Newcastle City Council 😑

#DigitalID #NewcastleUponTyne #NewcastleCityCouncil

search.app/AG751

Honestly I don't really see your posts much - so it's not because I have any negative feelings or thoughts towards you, my timeline just doesn't seem to really be showing me your stuff!

Tell Keir Starmer to scrap his ID card scheme With his government in turmoil and Nigel Farage breathing down his neck, Keir Starmer has reached for the panic button, announcing a scheme for ID cards that would be compulsory to prove your right to...

Here's a link to the good law project to help you send an email to Starmer about the digital ID. I recommend signing up to notifications/emails from GLP as they're really helpful and easy - you just fill in your details and an email is sent on your behalf

action.goodlawproject.org/tell-keir-st...

Full time and Newcastle United have won 4 0 🎉 hopefully this will be massive boost for their confidence

#nufc #NewcastleUnited #ChampionsLeague

Petition: Use Proportional Representation at the next General Election Change the voting system to Proportional Representation instead of First Past the Post. We think this would eradicate disillusionment and encourage voter participation as people could start to believe...

Petition: Use Proportional Representation at the next General Election petition.parliament.uk/petitions/72...

Two plates of food and some orange juice on a table. One plate has french toast with fruit and yoghurt, and the other has pancakes with pecans and bacon

A white hand holding a small cardboard coffee cup that reads 'L&CO specialist espresso'

A restaurant window overlooking the North sea and king Edwards bay

A plate with French toast, cinnamon, and maple syrup

Birthday weekend officially wrapped up - bring on 29 💐🎂

A white trans masc with a shaved head,grey hoodie, and yellow scalf stood in front of a wooden fence with graffiti that reads 'oi skinhead'

A white trans masc with a shaved head,grey hoodie, and yellow scalf stood in front of a wooden fence with graffiti that reads 'oi skinhead'

Also found the graffiti I specifically shaved my head for

#leeds #skinhead #graffiti

Thank you!

A photo of Leeds United vs Bournemouth in progress. It was taken from behind the goal in the kop/Don Revie end. The stadium is sold out, and the Bournemouth goalie is in goal

A photo of Leeds United vs Bournemouth in progress. It was taken from behind the goal in the kop/Don Revie end. The stadium is sold out, and the Leeds goalie is in goal

A photo of Leeds United vs Bournemouth in progress. It was taken from behind the goal in the kop/Don Revie end. The stadium is sold out, and the Leeds goalie is in goal

A photo of the Leeds vs Bournemouth starting XI coming out of the tunnel at a sold out Elland Road

Back at Leeds station after spending my 29th birthday at Elland Road watching Leeds United 💛💙🤍

#Leeds #LeedsUnited #LUFC #EllandRoad #ALAW

Ooh thank you for this!!

This is such a lovely post - long may it continue ☺️☺️

Petition: Do not introduce Digital ID cards We demand that the UK Government immediately commits to not introducing a digital ID cards. There are reports that this is being looked at.

If anyone is interested, here's a petition asking the government to not introduce digital ID

petition.parliament.uk/petitions/73...

The (ironically named) Brit Card feels so unbritish - I've yet to encounter a Brit who actually wants this. It so far seems to be universally panned and the exact inverse of what we want as a country..

A white transmasc wearing a black hoodie with the hood up, and a yellow high viz

The same transmasc in a black hoodie and high vis, but with the hood down

Survived my 4th car park marshal shift ✔️ I'm sore and tired, and in desperate need of a bath, but I lived. Genuinely proud of the fact I've been able to push myself with work this year 😊

A cardboard coffee cup with pictures of people in front of the angel of the North

Off to Bradford for the weekend with my parents 🚄

I'd happily drop you a happy birthday if you wanted to share!

Thank you!!

Thank you 💚

Feeling a bit overwhelmed watching Newcastle United in the Champions League tonight. Feels surreal that this is the city I live in, and club I work for, in the champions league against Barcelona

#nufc #NewcastleUnited #Newcastle #ChampionsLeague #football

Thank you 😊