Draft Conversion Practices Bill criticised as threat to human rights
A report has branded the legislation being written-up for England and Wales ‘ideological, authoritarian, unworkable’
A report from the Policy Exchange think tank has sharply criticised the draft Conversion Practices Bill, calling it "ideological, authoritarian, unworkable, and wholly unsuitable."
The Bill, aimed at banning abusive attempts to change someone's sexual orientation or transgender identity, was published in June and covers England and Wales.
It proposes five-year jail sentences and unlimited fines for perpetrators of such practices.
Baroness Kishwer Falkner, a former chairwoman of the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC), co-authored the report.
She said: "This draft Bill appears oblivious to human rights law in Britain... It has been ill-conceived and will be unworkable unless it is considerably revised."
The report warns it could criminalise parents and religious organisations, and adversely affect educational institutions and teachers.
Baroness Sharron Davies described it as "essential reading" and said: "Criminalising ordinary conversations between parents and children, or teachers and children, is an unconscionable intrusion into family life."
Akua Reindorf KC, co-author, highlighted: “Conversion practices – often referred to as conversion therapy – have historically been understood to consist of cruel, coercive or violent attempts to persuade same-sex attracted people to change their sexual orientation.
“Familiar examples from the past include electric shock therapy, corrective rape, exorcisms and compelled prayer healing. Naturally, there exists almost universal opposition to these practices, and they are already unlawful under existing criminal legislation.
“The scope of the draft Bill extends well beyond these sorts of obviously harmful and unjustifiable practices – including criminalising good faith conversations between parents and children.”
Supporters, including equalities minister Olivia Bailey, insist the Bill will "prevent and protect" LGBT+ individuals from abusive conversion attempts.
Nick Baldwin of LGBT+ Humanists, said: “The draft Bill targets abusive practices that cause real harm, not ordinary family conversations or the teaching of religious beliefs.
“Freedom of belief is a right we defend for everyone, but it has never included a right to harm others.
“Several EU countries, including France, Germany and Spain, already ban conversion practices, all while bound by the same human rights laws as the UK.
“Parliament should not abandon the people this Bill is meant to protect.”
A Government spokesperson defended the Bill, arguing it targets specific abuse, not regular parenting, rejecting claims in the report.
Their statement said: "This report is misleading and based on a number of inaccurate claims. This draft Bill targets a specific form of abuse, it does not touch regular parenting.
“LGBT+ people should never, without exception, have to suffer coercion or abuse in an effort to change who they are.
“Successive governments have agreed for almost a decade that conversion practices have no place in modern Britain – this Government is finally delivering on this promise.”