Senedd Cross Party Group on Human Rights

Meeting, online, 22nd May 2025, 2 pm by zoom

 

In attendance:

In accordance with the CPG practice, only speakers leading on agenda items, the secretary and Senedd Members or their staff are expressly noted as having attended or spoken at the meeting.

·         Sioned Williams MS, Chair.

·         Professor Simon Hoffman, Secretary.

The meeting was attended by various representatives of civil society organizations and networks working in Wales.

 

Matters Arising

From meeting in September 2024:

Simon Hoffman informed the meeting that the letter agreed to be sent to the Cabinet Secretary (see CPG minutes December 2024) had not yet been dispatched. However, Charles Whitmore (Chair, LOWG) has recently informed the Chair that the Welsh Government has agreed funding to facilitate the work of LOWG to the end of the year.

Those present expressed concern that the Welsh Government is only now committing funds to support LOWG.

ACTION: the Chair will write to the Cabinet Secretary to welcome the support now being provided to LOWG, but noting the concern about the delay in agreeing funding and seeking assurance that the support will continue until LOWG completes its work.

The previous minutes were agreed as an accurate record.

 

Agenda item

Those present discussed the only substantive item on the agenda: the launch of the CPG mini-inquiry into human rights in Wales. The discussion was led by the Chair, the Secretary and Glen Page of Amnesty UK. Amnesty UK will take a leading role in the research supported by Simon Hoffman.

There was some discussion on the scope of the research, in particular how to engage those with lived experience, and with protected characteristic. It was noted during the course of the discussion that resources, timing and capacity place constraints on the research and necessitate a focus on professionals – many of whom will work with relevant groups and individuals.

The CPG was informed that the research will be carried out in the form of a survey which will elicit data on key human rights issues and challenges and innovative solutions, in order to develop recommendations for the Welsh Government.

During the meeting it was agreed that the survey would be amended to include a request for case studies.

The CPG was informed that the timeline for the inquiry would be as follows:

 

•      May 2025 – launch at CPG

•      June 2025 – surveys sent out

•      September 2025 – surveys returned

•      October 2025 – report circulated to participants

•      12th November – report publication, Pierhead, 12.00-13.30

AOB

The Chair noted the recent spotlighting of concerns relating to strip-searching of children in Wales. The Chair thanked Dr Rhian Croke (Children’s Legal Centre Wales) for her research briefing with Insaafi CiC raising this issue in the public domain. Dr Rhian Croke thanked the Chair for raising this issue at the Senedd Equality and Social Justice Committee (May 12th) and in Senedd Plenary. Dr Rhian Croke asked the Chair for clarity regarding a meeting between a UK and a Welsh Minister referred to in the May 12th Committee meeting. The Chair communicated that the meeting with the UK Minister of State for Prisons, Parole and Probation, Lord Timpson had been delayed. Glen Page (Amnesty UK) however noted from the Senedd Plenary meeting (May 21st), that the Welsh Government Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Jane Hutt had communicated she would be meeting the UK Policing Minister, Dame Diana Johnson, next week.