Review of EHRC as an NHRI - June 2022
Published onThe DLA recently (1st June) submitted a response to the Review carried out by the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI), through its Sub-Committee on Accreditation (SCA), on the status of the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) as a UN National Human Rights Institution (NHRI). |
The EHRC was established by the Equality Act 2006. In 2008 it applied to become an NHRI. The GANHRI, through its SCA, was satisfied that the EHRC sufficiently complied with the Paris Principles to be accredited “A” status. |
The Paris Principles, approved by the UN General Assembly in 1993, require NHRIs to be independent in law, membership, policy and control of resources, and have a broad mandate, pluralism in membership, adequate powers and resources. |
The EHRC was re-accredited with A status in 2015. In both 2008 and 2015, the SCA reports included comments and recommendations regarding aspects of EHRC structure and/or operation that were not fully compliant with Paris Principles. |
The next review of the EHRC’s NHRI status will be in October 2022 - NGOs were invited to make submissions by 1st June 2022. The DLA’s submission aims to bring to the attention of the SCA important Paris Principle standards which the EHRC may not presently meet - the adequacy of its human rights powers and the independence and pluralism of its board members and its functions |
You can read both the DLA’s submission to the SCA plus a recent speech by the UK Minister for Women and Equalities to which it makes reference (on page 6) below. |