In this study, an audit of British compliance with international human rights standards is carried out. The book identifies 44 violations and 19 near violations. It provides an up-to-date description of law and practice with respect of freedom of information, freedom of expression, freedom of assembly and public protest, freedom of association and trade unionism, state surveillance, the right to life and liberty, and the right to vote and stand in elections. This study looks at both the political and legal aspects of political freedom in the UK. It measures political freedom specifically against international standards and provides the "Human Rights Index" - a system for measuring political rights which may be used to monitor legislation in the UK from 1997 or in any country in the rest of the world.

In this study, an audit of British compliance with international human rights standards is carried out. The book identifies 44 violations and 19 near violations. It provides an up-to-date description of law and practice with respect of freedom of information, freedom of expression, freedom of assembly and public protest, freedom of association and trade unionism, state surveillance, the right to life and liberty, and the right to vote and stand in elections. This study looks at both the political and legal aspects of political freedom in the UK. It measures political freedom specifically against international standards and provides the "Human Rights Index" - a system for measuring political rights which may be used to monitor legislation in the UK from 1997 or in any country in the rest of the world.

Recent years have seen the release from prison of the Guildford Four, the Birmingham Six and Tottenham Three. The Maguire Seven have now been cleared of all charges, and the discredited West Midlands Crime Squad have now been disbanded. Each of these events has highlighted serious failures in the criminal justice system which have contributed to miscarriages of justice. Amongst the many disturbing features are the obtaining of confessions by unacceptable means; the fabrication of evidence; the failure to disclose evidence adverse to the prosecution and the inadequacy of appeal and reference-back systems.;This book examines the various steps within the criminal justice system which have resulted in the conviction of the innocent, and remedies as to how miscarriages might be avoided in the future are suggested. The contributors comprise academics, campaigners and practitioners, some of whom have been involved in the cases mentioned.;Clive Walker is the author of "The Prevention of Terrorism in British Law" and of "Political Violence and the Law in Ireland". Keir Starmer is Secretary of the Haldane Society of Socialist Lawyers.