Equalities and Human Rights

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Comment by Amelia Gudgion 1 day ago

BIHR has launched a new website The Human Rights Act: Our Stories. The aim of the site is to share how the Human Rights Act is shaping lives around the UK and gives voice to individuals for whom the Human Rights Act has offered a lifeline.
They are also looking other organisations to share positive stories of using the Act.
The website is here http://www.ourhumanrightsstories.org.uk/

Comment by Rys Farthing on January 29, 2010 at 11:10am

Great overview of the financial aspects of equality - the National Equalities Panel's report on Economic Inequalities is available here:

http://www.equalities.gov.uk/national_equality_panel/publications.aspx

Comment by Sandy Ruxton on July 23, 2009 at 4:16pm

New Report on Masculinity and Public Policy

The Coalition on Men and Boys has just published 'Man Made: Men, masculinities and equality in public policy'. Drawing upon a wide range of domestic and international evidence, the report provides a unique in-depth picture of the current circumstances of men and boys in the UK.

Focussing on the key themes of work, fatherhood, health, education and violence, the report explores the opportunities and risks in involving men and boys in gender equality strategies, how policy and practice can engage with men and boys effectively, and outlines recommendations for reform at all levels.

Members of the Coalition are Action for Children, Respect, Fatherhood Institute, Men's Health Forum, Relate, Men's Advice Line, White Ribbon Campaign, and Bradford University's Research Unit on Men and Masculinities.

Copies of the full report (price £10) can be ordered from Respect, Downstream Building, 1 London Bridge, London SE1 9GB (email: info@comab.org.uk) or downloaded from the Coalition's website (www.comab.org.uk)

Comment by Sanchita Hosali on March 24, 2009 at 11:03am

STATEMENT

23 March 2009

Statement from the British Institute of Human Rights (BIHR) in response to today's publication of the Government’s Green Paper on Rights and Responsibilities: developing our constitutional framework

Ceri Goddard, Acting Director of the British Institute of Human Rights said:

"We welcome the Government's continuing commitment to the Human Rights Act. However, we are disappointed that the Green Paper does not set forth ambitious and imaginative proposals to safeguard a comprehensive set of rights for everyone in these challenging times. What the Government is proposing is at best half measures and at worst hot air.

"The Government seems so focused on individuals' responsibilities it appears to have lost sight of its own responsibilities to give equal moral and legal weight to all our fundamental human rights including health, education and housing.

"A Bill of Rights will only work if people see human rights delivering positive changes in their own lives, and the lives of others. It must build upon the real difference the Human Rights Act is already making to people in all walks of life, from care homes to hospitals and schools."

The consultation on a Bill of Rights potentially provides an opportunity to safeguard and reinforce the value of fundamental rights for all people in the UK, provided the following essential issues are recognised:

A Bill of Rights should include all human rights protections set out in the Human Rights Act: It is absolutely critical that any new Bill of Rights does not fall below the minimum standards set out in the Human Rights Act, which enforces in the UK the rights protected under the European Convention on Human Rights.

All people in the UK, regardless of citizenship or immigration status, must enjoy equal protection of their human rights. Human rights by definition apply to all human beings, they are universal and do not depend on a person’s immigration or citizenship status. .

Human rights already trigger responsibilities. For many rights this includes balancing the rights of the individual against the rights of others and wider society, such as freedom of expression, or right to a private or family life. An exception to this is the prohibition of torture, which can never be violated under any circumstances. BIHR is concerned that the Government's Green Paper on a Bill of Rights and Responsibilities may leave a false impression that existing human rights do not already carry clear lines of responsibility, accountability, monitoring and enforcement.

A Bill of Rights provides an opportunity to safeguard in UK law, those human rights which the UK is has already agreed to internationally. BIHR is disappointed that the Government is not making a clear case for enforceable human rights that cover economic and social aspects of our lives, such as health, education and housing. It is these rights that often hold greatest meaning to people in Britain. There are many ways of making such rights enforceable which permits judicial oversight, whilst retaining Parliament's role in formulating social policy and allocating resources. A Bill of Rights can also embed protections to a right a jury trial and other civil liberties.

The public debate about a Bill of Rights must be comprehensive and inclusive: BIHR believes that the debate on a Bill of Rights must involve a wide range of people in society, including the most vulnerable and disadvantaged whose human rights are often most at risk yet who often have the least say. This requires the Government to ensure that any consultation process is fully accessible to ensure equal opportunity for everyone to take part.

A debate on human rights must provide people with the facts about human rights. BIHR believes that people must be given comprehensive information about human rights, which includes demonstrating the positive changes human rights can make in people's lives. It is only when people understand and own human rights that they become relevant and real.

Michael Wills MP, Justice Minster is giving a public lecture to BIHR on the Bill of Rights on 21 April, 1-2pm at Mander Hall, Mabledon Place, London WC1B 9DB.


ENDS

Notes to Editors

1. For further information or a spokesperson contact:
British Institute of Human Rights, Switchboard 020 7848 1818
Jean Candler, jcandler@bihr.org.uk, 020 7848 1839, out of hours 07985 982103 or Sanchita Hosali, shosali@bihr.org.uk, 020 7848 1817.

2. The British Institute of Human Rights (BIHR) is a human rights organisation aiming to bring human rights to life. It is committed to challenging inequality and injustice in the UK, through supporting people to use human rights to improve their lives, and to develop more effective public policy and practice, through training and awareness-raising. www.bihr.org.uk

3. The Human Rights Act brings most of the rights contained in the European Convention on Human Rights into UK domestic law. The Human Rights Act does this by placing a duty on all public authorities to act in a way that respects and fits with the rights in the European Convention on Human Rights. The British Institute of Human Rights believes that the Human Rights Act is making a valuable difference to people's lives, especially for the vulnerable, as outlined by over 30 case studies in its report The Human Rights Act: Changing Lives (2nd ed.) available here: http://www.bihr.org.uk/sites/default/files/BIHR%20Changing%20Lives%20FINAL_0.pdf

4. Forthcoming BIHR lunchtime lectures:

Tuesday 21 April, 1-2pm,
Perspectives on a Bill of Rights and Responsibilities
Michael Wills MP, Justice Minister for Human Rights tells us what he wants a Bill of Rights to achieve.

Tuesday 5 May, 1-2pm
Threats to Civil Liberties
Chris Huhne MP, Shadow Secretary of State for the Home Department will present the Liberal Democrats perspective on a Bill of Rights and Responsibilities and discuss their own Freedom Bill.
Both lectures will be followed by a Q&A.
In November 2008, the then Conservative Shadow Justice Secretary, Nick Herbert
MP outlined the Conservatives’ plans for a Bill of Rights and Responsibilities. The transcript of his speech is available on BIHR's website: www.bihr.org.uk

Venue: Mander Hall, Hamilton House, Mabledon Place, London WC1H 9DB
Free entry, booking necessary: www.bihr.org.uk/lunchtime-lecture-booking-form

Comment by Belinda Pratten on November 7, 2008 at 2:09pm

The Equalities and Human Rights Commission have just launched a consultation on their future strategy and priorities (including funding priorities) for 2009 - 2012. The Commission is keen to get views from voluntary and community organisations and other stakeholders and will be holding a series of consultation events over the next month as well as an on-line consultation. More details can be found at:
http://www.equalityhumanrights.com/en/newsandcomment/Pages/commissionconsults.aspx