Network Rail has pulled an Amnesty International advert about the importance of the Human Rights Act after deeming it "too political", the rights group has said.

The public awareness campaign highlighted the importance of the Human Rights Act in the Hillsborough inquest and the Northern Ireland peace process.

The advert also highlighted the stories of several other individuals who relied on the act and encouraged people to sign a petition to "save the act".

Rail stations in Liverpool, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Manchester, Birmingham, and London’s Waterloo and Victoria stations, were set to carry the adverts.

Human rights attacks around the world Show all 10 1 /10 Human rights attacks around the world Human rights attacks around the world China Escalating crackdown against human rights activists including mass arrests of lawyers and a series of sweeping laws in the name of ‘national security’. Getty Images Human rights attacks around the world Egypt The arrest of thousands, including peaceful critics, in a ruthless crackdown in the name of national security, the prolonged detention of hundreds without charge or trial and the sentencing of hundreds of others to death. Getty Images Human rights attacks around the world Gambia Torture, enforced disappearances and the criminalisation of LGBTI people; and utter refusal to co-operate with the UN and regional human rights mechanisms on issues including freedom of expression, enforced disappearance and the death penalty. Getty Images Human rights attacks around the world Hungary Sealing off its borders to thousands of refugees in dire need; and obstructing collective regional attempts to help them. Getty Images Human rights attacks around the world Israel Maintaining its military blockade of Gaza and therefore collective punishment of the 1.8 million inhabitants there, as well as failing, like Palestine, to comply with a UN call to conduct credible investigations into war crimes committed during the 2014 Gaza conflict. Getty Images Human rights attacks around the world Kenya Extrajudicial executions, enforced disappearances and discrimination against refugees in its counter-terrorism operations; and attempts to undermine the International Criminal Court and its ability to pursue justice. Getty Images Human rights attacks around the world Pakistan The severe human rights failings of its response to the horrific Peshawar school massacre including its relentless use of the death penalty; and its policy on international NGOs giving authorities the power to monitor them and close them down if they are considered to be “against the interests” of the country. Getty Images Human rights attacks around the world Russia Repressive use of vague national security and anti-extremism legislation and its concerted attempts to silence civil society in the country; its shameful refusal to acknowledge civilian killings in Syria and its callous moves to block Security Council action on Syria. Getty Images Human rights attacks around the world Saudi Arabia Brutally cracking down on those who dared to advocate reform or criticise the authorities; and committing war crimes in the bombing campaign it has led in Yemen (pictured) while obstructing the establishment of a UN-led inquiry into violations by all sides in the conflict. Getty Images Human rights attacks around the world Syria Killing thousands of civilians in direct and indiscriminate attacks with barrel bombs and other weaponry and through acts of torture in detention; and enforcing lengthy sieges of civilian areas, blocking international aid from reaching starving civilians. Getty Images

Earlier this year the Government pledged to replace the policy with a British Bill of Rights.

Network rail said the advert was against their rules for advertising in stations because it directed people to sign an online petition.

Responding to Network Rail’s decision, Kate Allen, Amnesty’s UK Director, said: “We’re very disappointed by Network Rail’s decision to pull these adverts at the eleventh hour. We simply don’t accept that basic human rights are ever a political issue.

“The irony is that human rights cross party-political lines and so do failures, cover-ups and abuses."

She added: "Successive governments managed to let down the Hillsborough families, and their story demonstrates precisely why we need enduring human rights protections which aren’t redrafted by the government of the day, on a political whim.

“It’s vital to safeguard basic rights in these politically volatile times as constant protections relied on by ordinary people.”

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A spokesperson for Network Rail said: "The advert, which we first saw yesterday, directs people to sign an online petition. For this reason we deemed it ‘political’ and against our rules for advertising in stations.

"We aim to be fair and even-handed when deciding which adverts to accept in our stations and have a set of rules in place to ensure all advertising is treated equally."

Amnesty published a YouGov poll as part of their campaign suggesting 70 per cent of people in the UK were unaware of the role the Human Rights Act played in the Hillsborough inquest, which delivered an "unlawful killing" ruling over the deaths of 96 football fans earlier this year.

Barry Devonside, whose 18-year-old son Christopher died at Hillsborough, said: “It’s a very small-minded decision for Network Rail to take. Human rights aren’t political; they cover everyone right across society.

"I don’t think many people know about the Human Rights Act and how important Article 2, which protects the right to life, is. But we do, and the Human Rights Act is one of the most important things in our society.”

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Amnesty's campaign also raises awareness of the role the act played in the Good Friday peace agreement which ended "the troubles" in Northern Ireland.

YouGov found 74 per cent of people were unaware the act was part of the peace agreement.

Professor Monica McWilliams, a signatory of the Good Friday agreement, warned the repeal of the Human Rights Act could threaten peace in Northern Ireland.

“We would never have contemplated that the Human Rights Act would be in jeopardy at any stage," she said.