In 2011 the European Union called on all member states to produce strategies in this area. The UK government have failed to produce a proper strategy. The National Federation of Gypsy Liaison Groups are now carrying out work on this vital issue. As part of this process we have produced a discussion paper. Here it is:
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The Welsh Government has just produced this important new guidance. Here is our discussion paper on it:
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This Bill is just starting off in the Welsh Assembly. Most importantly for Gypsies and Travellers the Bill introduces a duty on local authorities to provide sites. The first stage involves a consultation process. The deadline for submissions is January 17th. Here is the CLP submission:
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Most people will have heard of Andrew Mitchell MP and the ‘Plebgate’ controversy when he was alleged to have called a police officer at the gates to Downing Street a “ f*****g pleb”. Following the Sun publishing an article about this, Mr Mitchell took a defamation action.
R (AB) – v – The Secretary of State for the Home Department [2013] EWHC 3453 (Admin) 7th November 2013
This was a deportation case but it contains an extremely important decision on the question of the applicability of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union in the UK Courts. The British and Polish Governments secured, at the negotiations on the Lisbon Treaty, an opt out from the incorporation of the Charter into their domestic law.
Leicester City Council – v – Shearer [2013] EWCA Civ 1467, 19th November 2013
This is not a Traveller case but is an important reminder that a judicial review challenge can be successful even in cases involving trespassers. The facts were quite complicated but, to simplify them somewhat, Mrs Shearer ended up living in the property that had been the tenancy of her husband. Her husband had committed suicide.
Zoumbas – v – Secretary of State for the Home Department [2013] UKSC 74, Supreme Court 27th November 2013
This case involved an appeal against a refusal of asylum. Though Mr Zoumbas was unsuccessful in his appeal, the case provides an important reminder that the best interests of the child are a primary consideration in any such decision. To read the Judgment, click here: Zoumbas -v- SSHD Judgment
These proposals relate to private rented mobile home sites. The proposals would be very beneficial for residents on such sites. The deadline for submissions was 6th January 2014. Here is our response:
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The Council of Europe’s Committee of Experts on the reform of the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) is holding an open court for information, proposals and views on the issue of the longer term reform of the system of the European Convention on Human Rights and the ECtHR. This process follows on from the Brighton Declaration adopted in April 2012. It is intended to be open and inclusive, allowing questions to be raised and examined concerning all aspects of the Convention system and the Court. For further information see
http://www.coe.int/t/dghl/standardsetting/cddh/reformechr/consultation_EN.asp .
The deadline for submissions is midday (12.00 pm French local time) on Monday 27th January 2014.
Making submissions concerning the European Convention is a big task. TAT will be suggesting that all Gypsy and Traveller Support Groups and representatives link together to produce a joint submission thus making use of all the range of knowledge we have on this subject. Those who are interested in participating please email us at:- .
The Ministry of Justice (MOJ) are carrying out a review about the European Union Charter of Fundamental Rights and the Fundamental Rights Agency (FRA). Many people are concerned that the Government want to water down or reduce these rights and want to attack the FRA. The deadline for submissions is 13th January 2014. Here is our submission (thanks to Marc Willers of Garden Court for his great assistance):
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