You can let the Minstry of Justice know what you think about rights by taking part in the online debate.
UNICEF UK/2009/T.Hanley.
In March 2009 the Ministry of Justice published a Green Paper (a document produced by the Government to start discussions about a topic and see what people think – see our jargon buster below for more information) on a possible Bill of Rights and Responsibilities.
The Government is now asking what people think about it.
There is a public online forum where anybody can give their opinion, but the MOJ is also organising consultation with specific groups of people, including young people.
You can have your say by
taking part on the online debate and let the government know what you think about issues such as rights, responsibilities and values in the UK today.
Before you join the online debate, you might want to find out more and get your head around what the Government is proposing by dowloading the young people’s version of the Green Paper.
Green or white? What difference does it make?
You might have heard of a White Paper and a Green Paper before and wonder what they are and what the relationship between the two is.
Here’s our little jargon buster to give you a hand!
- When the Government feels there is an area where new legislation is required or where the existing legislation is not adequate it might publish a Green Paper, a document which outlines the ideas and problems around that area and how it should be regulated by law.
- The Green Paper has the aim to start public discussion around that topic and around possible ways of regulating it.
- A White Paper is a proposal issued by the Government for a new law or policy around a specific area. Sometimes White Papers are the result of a previous Green Paper.
- White Papers can be commented upon and then turned into a bill which will be discussed in Parliament and, if approved, it will pass into law.