Overview

The UK government continued to pursue a policy agenda that breached its international human rights commitments and curtailed human rights protections. People seeking asylum and other migrants were particularly targeted, along with protesters. New government legislation further eroded the freedom of assembly and expression. Police faced findings of institutional racism and other forms of discrimination. Abortion was decriminalized in Northern Ireland, but access to abortion services was still hindered. In the rest of the UK, abortion remained criminalized apart from lawful exceptions. Legislation was passed terminating investigations into and prosecutions of historic human rights violations during the Northern Ireland Troubles. Minimum service levels during industrial action were imposed in various sectors.