What we are doing to strengthen and improve human rights in Wales.
Contents
Introduction
The Welsh Government has a legal obligation to respect, protect and fulfil human rights.
We must act in a way which meets the European Convention on Human Rights and the Human Rights Act 1998.
Why are we strengthening human rights
We want a just and equal society. Our National Equality Objectives support this.
How are we strengthening human rights
We commissioned research on strengthening and advancing equality and human rights in Wales.
The research report made recommendations for the Welsh Government and other public sector organisations to take, to benefit individuals.
Our response to the research report sets out the priority actions we have agreed to take.
We are also working on our Programme for Government (2021 to 2026) commitments.
Human Rights Advisory Group
The Human Rights Advisory Group advises and monitors progress on the actions we are taking. The quarterly meetings are chaired by Cabinet Secretaries.
Human Rights Legislative Options Working Group
The Human Rights Legislative Options Working Group is a sub-committee of the Human Rights Advisory Group. The Group are considering how to incorporate human rights in Wales.
Our international obligations
There are 7 core international human rights instruments the UK Government has agreed to follow:
- International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR).
- International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR).
- UN Convention Against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (UNCAT).
- International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (CERD).
- Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW).
- Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD).
- UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC).