Posted on 02/09/2009 3:56:29 AM PST by Zakeet
Six prisoners in British jails have applied to have children with their partners following a landmark European court ruling that their human rights would be breached if they are prevented from becoming fathers.
The inmates, all serving long sentences and including at least one murderer, claim they or their partners will be too old once they are released and should be allowed to donate sperm now for artificial insemination.
It follows a long legal battle over whether their right to fatherhood is guaranteed by the Human Rights Act.
The case was brought by Kirk Dickson, 34, who is serving a minimum 15 years sentence for kicking a man to death, and his wife Lorraine, 48, who he met through a prison penpal scheme while she was in prison for benefits fraud.
Their original request under the Human Rights Act in 2001 was blocked by the then Home Secretary, David Blunkett. The High Court, Court of Appeal and the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg also rejected the claim.
But Strasbourg's final appeal court, the Grand Chamber, then concluded that blocking the request was a denial of the couple's right to become parents.
It said the British Government had breached Article 8 of the European convention on human rights, which guarantees the right to a private and family life.
(Excerpt) Read more at telegraph.co.uk ...
We have the right to make babies while we are in prison.
Y - M - C - A !
Laws to that effect were passed for mothers in prisons here, in the USA, during the ‘90s.
You should have ZERO rights if you land yourself in prison. Oxygen, food, water, hygienic supplies, and a bed....and depending on what you’re there for, I’m not any too sure about the oxygen.
LLS
Does the state have to provide the women as well? Reminds me of the “conjugal visits” subplot in Office Space!
Coming to a European-wanna-be country near you, real soon.
Make ‘em with each other. Now, get back to your cells.
Mark
They will not be fathers. They will be sperm donors. This is sick.
No, fathers are there for their children. These cretins are only donating inferior sperm. Yeah, I’m saying their dna shouldn’t be passed on so sue me.
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