Weekly Human Rights News: 04-08-23

On Tuesday 15^th August, we're hosting a free, online event for community and voluntary groups to launch the opening of applications to co-design a human rights solution with BIHR. The idea is for BIHR to offer free support to groups to embed human rights in their work and advocacy to tackle problems or issues they face day-to-day. Last year, we partnered with four organisations to make human rights guides in multiple languages; letter templates for writing to housing providers; Easy Read postcards; and child impact assessment tools.

At our launch event, we’ll explain how the programme works and how organisations can apply to be involved.

On Thursday 31^st August, we’re offering a free, online event for SENDIASS managers where we will be bridging the gap between the Human Rights Act and the Children and Families Act. The workshop will be led by Human Rights Officer Phoebe, who has three years of experience working at several SENDIASS services.

This event is open to management staff of any SENDIASS in England. We are limiting it to management in order to reach as many people as possible through your own internal knowledge sharing after the session.

The Scottish Government found ordering a man to remove his extension did not infringe his human rights

Gareth Wilson build a five-bedroom home on his farmland property without applying for planning permission. North Ayshire Council refused to let him apply for permission retrospectively and instead told him to take it down – partially because it was not in keeping with the “character” of the area and because the Coal Authority raised concerns that it might collapse. Gareth appealed the decision as the council had not considered the impact on his and his family’s Article 8 right to private life and home, but the Government Reporter said there was not a genuine housing need and Article 8 was not infringed. They also said that even if Article 8 was being restricted, it would be justified by the public interest.

Source: The Times