THE ODYSSEUS TRUST

The Odysseus Trust seeks to promote good governance in the interests of the governed, based upon plural democratic values, public accountability and the effective protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms. It seeks legislative, political and social reforms to achieve these objectives.

The Trust supports the activities of Lord Lester of Herne Hill QC in his work as a member of the House of Lords. Anthony Lester is a human rights advocate who has campaigned for a Bill of Rights and for equality legislation in the United Kingdom for some 30 years. The Odysseus Trust has three staff members: two Parliamentary Legal Officers (Joanna Dawson and Sophia Harris) and a Senior Researcher and Administrator (Caroline Baker) who co-ordinate and direct the work of the Trust.

The Trust is a company limited by guarantee. It operates as a non-profit-making body financed solely by voluntary donations.

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THE THREAT TO OUR BASIC RIGHTS

Lord Lester's article The threat to our basic rights on prisoners' voting rights was published in The Times on 6 December as 'Sniping at Strasbourg will only hinder reform'.

WRITTEN EVIDENCE TO THE JOINT COMMITTEE ON PRIVACY AND INJUNCTIONS

Lord Lester's Written Evidence to the Joint Committee on Privacy and Injunctions can be found HERE. Information on the work of this Committee can be found on their webpage.

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DEFAMATION BILL 2010

Lord Lester of Herne Hill QC introduced his Private Member's Bill to reform libel laws on 26 May 2010. The Bill can be found HERE and the Explanatory Notes HERE.The Bill had its Second Reading on 9 July 2010. In their response to the Second Reading debate, the Government announced their intention to introduce their own defamation bill.

DRAFT DEFAMATION BILL 2011

The Government's Draft Defamation Bill was published in March 2011. Lord Lester gave evidence to the Joint Select Committee on the Draft Defamation Bill on Wednesday 27 April 2011. A transcript of his evidence can be found HERE.

DIRECT ACCESS TO THE PARLIAMENTARY OMBUDSMAN CONSULTATION

The Odysseus Trust submitted a response to the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman's consultation on direct access to the Parliamentary Ombudsman. The Odysseus Trust strongly supports direct access. Our consultation response can be found HERE.

UK BILL OF RIGHTS COMMISSION

In March 2011 Lord Lester was appointed to the UK Bill of Rights Commission. It is an independent Commission to investigate the case for a UK Bill of Rights and was launched by the Deputy Prime Minister and the Secretary of State for Justice. More information about the Commission can be found HERE.

ANNUAL REPORTS

To find out more about the work of The Odysseus Trust download our Annual Report for 2008-09.