Closed petition Change The Law To Prevent Unnecessary Disinterment and Disturbance Of The Dead

Closed on 30 March 2015

Anyone can apply to disturb human remains for archaeological study, and damage is often done to further research. The law must be changed to protect the dead from desecration.

There must be a time limit on keeping human remains, and a limit on the amount of damage allowed for testing. Samples must not be sold for research purposes.
Disturbance of human remains for scientific purposes must be illegal - remains must only be disturbed by the police during criminal investigations, for relocation to prevent destruction, or if the family/descendants consent (where possible), however old the remains.
The APABE guidelines on disinterment and treatment of human remains must be legally binding.
An independant body must be set up to oversee all exhumations and treatment of remains. Licences must be granted only by Court Order.
The law must place the known or inferred wishes of the deceased, and the wishes of the family/descendants (if known or traceable) before all other considerations.