Jane Hutt MS, Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Trefnydd and Chief Whip
As we approach Human Rights Day on 10 December, we re-affirm our commitment to the principles enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. This landmark document, adopted by the United Kingdom in 1948, continues to inspire individuals, communities and the Welsh Government to protect and promote dignity, freedom and equality for all.
Sadly, global and national events are a stark reminder that human rights cannot be taken for granted. In conflict zones we see civilians endure profound violations of their rights. Families are torn apart and essential infrastructure destroyed. Freedoms for women and girls are eroded, including by denying them basic freedoms like education and basic liberties. These violations underscore the urgent need for solidarity, protection and safeguarding of rights across the world.
Here in Wales, we progress our commitment to human rights by embedding rights into our policies and principles. We are exploring how to strengthen rights for disabled people and women with the support of our Legislative Options Working Group. In November we published the refreshed Anti-racist Wales Action Plan that sets out the goals and actions we will take to tackle systemic racism and support ethnic minority people across Wales.
We remain committed to supporting disadvantaged groups and proudly continue our Nation of Sanctuary work to support refugees and asylum seekers. Our aim is tohelp sanctuary seekers to live in dignity and with respect, building their lives here in Wales for the benefit of us all. Our Nation of Sanctuary principles include specific commitments to take a human rights approach in our work.
Through our Disability Rights Taskforce, we worked with disabled people and representative groups to co-produce recommendations for actions which would combat discrimination and eliminate the barriers that hinder access to rights and inclusion of disabled people in everyday life. These recommendations are informing the development of an action plan on disability.
We have published our National Equality Objectives to underpin the work we are taking forward to make Wales a better place to live.
The sixteen days of activism to tackle violence against women ends with Human Rights day. Violence against women is both a violation of human rights and a profound social injustice affecting individuals, families and communities across Wales.
Of course, this issue should not be contained to the sixteen days of activism. There is still much to be done and I am not complacent in our approach. It will take all of us in society – and that includes men and the top levels of leadership – to tackle violence against women.
On this 76th anniversary of Human Rights Day let’s celebrate once more the enduring value human rights has and call for human rights for everyone, everywhere.