The Human Rights Act - economic & social rights issues

The rights we already have. The change we have yet to realise.

Housing • Health • Social Care • Welfare • Education

These are some of the biggest challenges facing people and communities across the UK. They are also some of the clearest examples of where the Human Rights Act already matters. Across these areas, the Human Rights Act already provides a framework for dignity, accountability and everyday justice. It creates rights people can rely on and duties that those exercising public power must respect.

At BIHR, we believe the conversation about economic and social rights cannot be limited to what new protections might be needed in the future. We must also focus on making the rights we already have meaningful in people's everyday lives.

Closing the gap between rights protected and rights realised.

Too often, the challenge is not the absence of rights. It is the gap between rights that exist in law and rights that are experienced in practice. Human rights have real meaning when people know about them, when public bodies understand their duties, and when decisions, systems and services are designed with human rights in mind.

That is the challenge. The opportunity. And where BIHR's work is focused.