Terms of reference

The Welsh Government has a clear commitment to promoting and protecting human rights. The actions of the Welsh Government must be compatible with international obligations, as set out in section 82 of the Government of Wales Act 2006 (“GoWA”). 

Section 81 of GoWA also requires the Welsh Government to act compatibly with the European Convention on Human Rights, as reflected in domestic law by the Human Rights Act 1998. 

The Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015 requires the Welsh Government to work to improve the economic, social, environmental and cultural well-being of Wales. The ‘more equal Wales’ well-being goal specifically requires Welsh Government to enable people to fulfil their potential no matter what their background or circumstances (including their socio economic background and circumstances).

To demonstrate and reaffirm its commitment to these principles, the Welsh Government is taking forward a range of work to explore options to safeguard and promote equality and human rights in Wales.

The Human Rights Advisory Group (“HRAG”) will provide advice and guidance to the Welsh Government on the development and delivery of actions to strengthen and advance equality and human rights in Wales.   

The HRAG will: 

• undertake its work in a democratic, transparent and fair way, allowing opinions and ideas to be put forward by all
• share developments and outcomes with colleagues in their respective organisations
• share our work with other relevant forums and interested parties, including (but not limited to) Welsh Government equality forums and civic society human rights groups
• provide challenge and share learning
• make positive and constructive contributions to challenge the development, delivery and oversight of policy development
• provide advice and support to the Welsh Ministers to support the development, design, implementation and communication of Welsh Government policy, legislation and actions/interventions
• take an intersectional approach to strengthen the quality of the policy development, design, implementation and action/interventions which may flow from recommendations to achieve the best environmental, social, economic and cultural outcomes for the people of Wales

• to engage with colleagues/members and bring their views into discussions
• to communicate the work of the group with colleagues/members or wider stakeholders
• raise awareness of issues and provide advice and guidance to support policy work

The Group will be chaired by Jane Hutt MS, Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Trefnydd and Chief Whip.

Membership of the HRAG will be kept under review to ensure it is up to date and reflects the range of the work being undertaken by the Welsh Government to promote and safeguard human rights in Wales.

The list of members is shown below:

• WCVA
• Office of the Children’s Commissioner for Wales
• EHRC Wales
• Children in Wales
• Disability Wales
• WEN Wales
• Cytun
• WLGA
• Cardiff and Vale University Health Board
• Cardiff University
• Health Board Safeguarding Lead
• Office of the Older People’s Commissioner for Wales
• NWREN
• Stonewall Cymru
• TUC
• Cardiff University
• Women Connect First
• BAWSO
• Oxfam Cymru
• Swansea University
• Wales Council for Voluntary Action WCVA / Cardiff University Wales Governance
• Tai Pawb
• Independent member
• Independent member

The HRAG may wish to invite other representatives to join the group on an ad hoc basis or for a limited period of time in relation to a particular area of expertise and or interest. Where nominated representatives are unable to attend, they are free to suggest alternates by notification to the Secretariat. 

Members remain free to express views which differ from the conclusions reached collectively by the HRAG and are encouraged to contribute actively to wider debate in relation to the realisation of human rights in Wales, in the UK and at the international level. Organisations represented on the HRAG are similarly free to adopt a position which differs from that of the HRAG and to contribute to wider debate. For the avoidance of doubt, participation in the work of the HRAG is without prejudice to the statutory independence of the National Human Rights Institutions and their compliance with the requirements of the Paris Principles.

Secretariat support will be provided by the Human Rights Policy Team within the Equality and Human Rights Division, who will be responsible for:

• the meeting arrangements ensuring appropriate representation and accommodating personal preferences where able (video conference for example)
• producing and circulating an agenda and any other relevant documents in sufficient time for prior to each meeting
• arranging external presentations where and when required (other projects, programmes and policy areas)
• taking minutes of each meeting, recording all agreements reached and actions required
• keeping all documents relating to the meetings in accordance with Welsh Government policy

The HRAG will meet at least 4 times per year (normally quarterly). Additional ad hoc meetings may be arranged by the Secretariat to tackle specific areas of the HRAG’s work. The Ministers will attend and chair main meetings, with Welsh Government Officials leading all ad-hoc meetings on their behalf.