Strengthening and advancing equality and human rights in Wales

On 1 November 2021, the Equality and Social Justice Committee held an exploratory evidence session on strengthening and advancing equality and human rights in Wales.

The session follows a report commissioned by the Welsh Government, which details the way to developing a clear approach to ensuring equality and human rights are fully considered and protected in Wales.

As a key facet of its work, the Committee will continue to return to these issues throughout the Sixth Senedd.

UK Government consultation on reform of the Human Rights Act 1998

On 16 December 2021 the Committee received a letter from the Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice, Dominic Raab MP, regarding the UK Government’s consultation on proposals to reform the Human Rights Act 1998 and to legislate for a Bill of Rights.

The Committee responded (PDF 125KB) to the Lord Chancellor on 22 March 2022.

Strengthening and advancing equality and human rights in Wales

On 1 November 2021, the Equality and Social Justice Committee held an exploratory evidence session on strengthening and advancing equality and human rights in Wales.

The session followed the Strengthening and Advancing Equality and Human Rights (SAEHR) report commissioned by the Welsh Government which detailed ways to develop a clearer approach to ensuring equality and human rights are fully considered and protected in Wales.

UK Government consultation on reform of the Human Rights Act 1998

On 16 December 2021 the Committee received a letter from the then Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice, Dominic Raab MP, regarding the UK Government’s consultation on proposals to reform the Human Rights Act 1998 and to legislate for a Bill of Rights. The Committee responded on 22 March 2022. These proposals were formally withdrawn on 27 June 2023. 

Implementing the recommendations of the SAEHR report

In May 2022, the Welsh Government set out five action areas that addressed all the accepted recommendations of the SAEHR report.

Following the session, on 11 October 2024 the Committee wrote to the Welsh Government to request an update on how the accepted recommendations of the SAEHR report were being implemented. On 25 November the Committee noted the Welsh Government’s response and agreed to write to chair of the Legislative Options Working Group (LOWG), Charles Whitmore for his views.

Correspondence with other organisations

The Committee also wrote to the Law Society, the Future Generations Commissioner, and the Equality and Human Rights Commission asking for an update on the progress made in their collaboration with the Welsh Government in relation to implementing the SAEHR report. The exchange of correspondence is detailed below:

Law Society

Future Generations Commissioner

Equality and Human Rights Commission

On 21 November 2024 the Committee received  a response from the Law Society.