Consultation Responses and Submissions

Consultation Responses and Submissions

Read our submissions and consultation responses. These contain plenty of facts, statistics and ideas that you may find helpful in your own discussions and debates.

Consultation Responses

A significant part of our output, which often receives less attention, is our submissions to Government or international bodies' consultations. A selection of these submissions can be found below.

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Thu, 26 Jan 2023

In November 2021 Jersey's States Assembly became the first parliament in the British Isles to decide 'in principle' that assisted dying should be allowed. They also decided that plans should be made for an assisted dying service.

Earlier this year, Islanders were asked to take part in the first phase of public engagement on assisted dying, sharing their hopes, thoughts and concerns.

This second phase of consultation sets out the plans for an assisted dying service in Jersey and is an opportunity for Islanders to help shape the proposals.

Responses to the consultation will be used to inform final proposals for debate by the States Assembly in early 2023.

Thu, 26 Jan 2023

This public consultation seeks to widen the debate to all of those who live on our island and your responses will help shape the draft Bill which will then be bought to Tynwald for discussion.

Wed, 11 Jan 2023

The Health and Social Care Committee has launched the first ever parliamentary inquiry into assisted dying which will hear evidence in 2023.

The NSS submission argues mentally, competent terminally adults are entitled to choose the time, setting and manner of their death.

While there is scope for reasonable disagreement on this issue, the NSS urges Committee members to be mindful of theological opponents of assisted dying obfuscating their language, motivations and funding.

Wed, 11 Jan 2023

The Independent Expert on protection against violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, Mr. Victor Madrigal-Borloz, will dedicate his report to the 53rd session of the United Nations Human Rights Council to an exploration of the right to freedom of religion or belief in relation to sexual orientation and gender identity.

Wed, 11 Jan 2023

In November 2021 Jersey's States Assembly became the first parliament in the British Isles to decide 'in principle' that assisted dying should be allowed. They also decided that plans should be made for an assisted dying service.

Earlier this year, Islanders were asked to take part in the first phase of public engagement on assisted dying, sharing their hopes, thoughts and concerns.

This second phase of consultation sets out the plans for an assisted dying service in Jersey and is an opportunity for Islanders to help shape the proposals.

Responses to the consultation will be used to inform final proposals for debate by the States Assembly in early 2023.

LGBT Veterans Independent Review
Wed, 09 Nov 2022

The Call for Evidence is seeking testimony and views from individuals and organisations on the impact of the pre-2000 ban on homosexuality in the Armed Forces. The Review is seeking to better understand the experience of those who served in the Armed Forces between 1967 and 2000 only.

The NSS calls for reform to military chaplaincy and improved access to same-sex marriage on military bases.

Commission on Political Power - House of Lords Reform
Mon, 03 Oct 2022

The Commission on Political Power is launching an inquiry into reform of the House of Lords and welcomes contributions. It aims to produce a series of options for the improvement of the UK's second chamber, continuing the Commission's work on updating and strengthening our democracy.

The National Secular Society recommends the abolition of the bishops' bench.

Wed, 28 Sep 2022

The UN General Assembly and Human Rights Council have adopted resolutions on combating intolerance, negative stereotyping, stigmatisation, discrimination, incitement to violence and violence against persons, based on religion or belief. It requests the High Commissioner to prepare and submit to the Human Rights Council a comprehensive follow-up report.

The National Secular Society submitted a contribution arguing that free speech, in addition to the rights of nonreligious people, must be protected in any initiatives.

Fri, 16 Sep 2022

The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) has commissioned Just Fair to prepare an independent shadow report on the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR), on behalf of civil society in England and Wales, ahead of the United Nations' Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (UN CESCR) next review of the UK.

The National Secular Society warns that religious exemptions to the Equality Act 2010, in violation of Article 2 of ICESCR, allow for discriminatory schools admissions criteria, hiring practices and provision of anti-LGBT+ RSE.

Furthermore, poor access to abortion services in Northern Ireland constitutes a violation of Article 12 and segregation of children on the basis of religion and national origin in faith schools constitutes a violation of Article 13.

Tue, 13 Sep 2022

Under the Witchcraft Act 1563, an estimated 3,837 people were accused of witchcraft in Scotland, with approximately 2,500 executed between 1563 and 1736. Those accused of witchcraft were often tortured to obtain a confession. Natalie Don's proposed Member's Bill would give Scotland the chance to revisit these injustices and pardon all those convicted under the Witchcraft Act 1563.

We supported the proposals as they will help to tackle 'witch hunts' around the world. But we said more action is needed to tackle faith-based misogyny and discrimination in Scotland and elsewhere.

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