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Commenting in response to the European Court of Human Rights ruling that British courts do have the right to impose whole-life tariffs on prisoners who are jailed for life, Mark Hammond, Chief Executive of the Equality and Human Rights Commission, said:

"We welcome this important clarification. This ruling reinforces the primacy of UK courts in interpreting domestic law in these cases. It underlines that dialogue between the ECtHR and our courts can be the best approach in resolving contentious issues."

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Notes to Editors

The Equality and Human Rights Commission is a statutory body established under the Equality Act 2006. It is an independent body responsible for protecting and promoting equality and human rights in Great Britain. It aims to encourage equality and diversity, eliminate unlawful discrimination, and promote and protect human rights. The Commission enforces equality legislation on age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation. It encourages compliance with the Human Rights Act 1998 and is accredited by the UN as an ‘A status’ National Human Rights Institution.