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Inquiry into Human Rights in Wales
The
Equality,
Local Government and Communities Committee agreed to undertake an inquiry
into human rights in Wales.
This
follows on from the Fourth Assembly Communities, Equality and Local Government
Committee’s short inquiry into the Future of equality and human rights in
Wales, and is also informed by the Committee’s consultation on priorities which
ran over summer 2016.
Terms of reference:
The
terms of reference were to consider:
- The impact of the UK’s withdrawal from
European Union on human rights protection in Wales,
- The impact of the UK Government’s
proposal to repeals the Human Rights Act 1998 and replace it with a UK
Bill of Rights, and
- Public perceptions about human rights in
Wales, in particular how understandable and relevant they are to Welsh
people.
Evidence Gathering
The
Committee initially held evidence sessions that are detailed in the table
below. The Committee also consulted on the topic; the responses have been published.
Evidence session |
Date, agenda, minutes |
Transcript |
Video |
1. Equality
and Human Rights Commission Melanie
Field, Executive Director, Wales and Corporate Strategy and Policy, Equality
and Human Rights Commission June
Milligan, Equality and Human Rights Commission Commissioner and Chair of the
Wales Committee |
|||
2. Academics Dr
Simon Hoffman, Associate Professor, College of Law and Criminology, Swansea
University Professor
Thomas Glyn Watkin, Formerly Head of Bangor Law School and First Welsh
Legislative Counsel 2007-2010 |
Following the evidence sessions, the Committee
agreed to narrow the scope of the inquiry to focus on the impact of Brexit on
human rights.
Subsequently, the Committee undertook joint
work with the External Affairs and Additional Legislation Committee to
understand the equality and human rights implications of Brexit. Following this
work, the Committees published their joint
findings (PDF, 1MB).
The Committee will continue monitor the Brexit progress
to ensure that our principles, in relation to human rights, are being adhered
to. The Committee’s core principles can be viewed in our correspondence below
dated 12 December 2017.
Should the Committee decide to hold further evidence
sessions in the future it will communicate this on its homepage
and through its Twitter account.
Keeping
in touch
If you'd like to know more about the work of the
Equality, Local Government and Communities, please view its homepage,
follow its Twitter account or
contact the team that supports the Committee at SeneddCommunities@assembly.wales
Business type: Other
Status: For consideration
First published: 14/12/2016
Documents
- Chair's statement on the inquiry into human rights in Wales
PDF 63 KB
- Letter to the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government (26 April 2017)
- Letter from the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government (23 May 2017)
- Letter to the Chair of the External Affairs and Additional Legislation Committee (2 June 2017)
PDF 94 KB
- Letter from the Equality and Human Rights Commission (8 August 2017)
PDF 213 KB View as HTML (5) 15 KB
- Letter from the Chair of the Women and Equalities Committee (12 October 2017)
PDF 39 KB
- Letter from the Chair of the UK Joint Committee on Women to the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union (24 October 2017)
- Letter to the Chair of the Constitutional and Legislative Affairs Committee (12 December 2017)
- Letter to the Chair of the External Affairs and Additional Legislation Committee (12 December 2017)
- Letter to the Convener of the Equalities and Human Rights Committee (12 December 2017)
- Letter to the Chair of the Joint Committee on Human Rights (12 December 2017)
- Letter to the Chair of the Women and Equalities Committee (12 December 2017)
- Restricted enclosure
- Letter from Leader of the House and Chief Whip (24 January 2018)
- Letter from the Chair of the External Affairs and Additional Legislation Committee (1 February 2018)
- Joint letter with the Chair of the External Affairs and Additional Legislation Committee to the First Minister (5 April 2018)
- Letter from the First Minister (16 May 2018)
PDF 304 KB
- Letter from the First Minister to the Chair of the External Affairs and Additional Legislation Committee in relation to Human Rights in Wales (23 July 2018)
- Equalities and Brexit: Joint findings by the Equality, Local Government and Communities Committee and the External Affairs and Additional Legislation Committee - 25 October 2018
PDF 1 MB
- Response from the Equalities and Human Rights Committee in relation to their inquiry: Getting Rights Right - Inquiry into Human Rights and the Scottish Parliament (4 Feb 2019)
Consultations
- Inquiry into Human Rights in Wales (completed)