Weekly Human Rights News: 07/06/2024

This week we delivered a second human rights capacity-building workshop with a group of SENDIASS advisors in the east of England, who work directly with the parents of children and young people with disabilities or special education needs. The workshop covered the practical application of the Human Rights Act (HRA), how it interacts with other laws, including the Children and Families Act 2014 and the Education Act 2002, and a focus on the right to private and family life, home and correspondence (Article 8, HRA) and the right to education (Article 2, Protocol 1, HRA). Attendees expressed how much the HRA can make a difference to their work, particularly when challenging local authorities and schools on their policies.

Click here for more information about human rights training for SENDIASS.

We also shared the latest instalment in our SENDIASS blog series which explores how the HRA can be an effective tool to ensure appropriate provision of special educational support. This week we focused on school transport and how the provision of this is covered by the right to education (Article 2, Protocol 2, HRA). Stay tuned for our final blog coming in June which will include a model letter for raising a human rights issue.

Applications are still open for community groups across the UK to work with BIHR until Wednesday 19 June. BIHR will be working alongside four small community groups from July to December 2024 to co-design a human rights support solution that will help them to tackle injustice they see in their work. Solutions will vary depending on the purpose, context and audience, so community groups can think creatively about what would help them the most!

This summer, we're offering community groups and voluntary sector organisations based in London the chance to join us on a free two-part, human rights capacity building programme.

The two half-day workshops take place on Thursday 20th June and Wednesday 17th July from 9.30-12.30 pm. Lunch will be provided following the event. The events will take place at The Abbey Centre, 34 Great Smith Street, London, SW1P 3BU.

UK Government confirms that removals to Rwanda will not take place before the General Election

The UK Government’s plans to remove people seeking asylum and safety in the UK to Rwanda have been put on hold following the announcement of a General Election. This delay was confirmed last week by the UK Government in an Order from the High Court, saying it does not intend to forcibly send anyone to Rwanda before the General Election on 4 July.

Read the BIHR Explainer on the Safety of Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration) Act.

Opportunities from our friends

Human Rights Consortium Scotland is running a lunchtime webinar series throughout June

The series will focus on our international treaties and rights. Bookings are on Eventbrite, and it’s completely free to attend. The series includes:

• International Convention on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination – Tuesday 11 June 12.00-12.45
• Right to a Healthy Environment – Thursday 13 June 12.00-12.45
• The Scottish Human Rights Bill – Tuesday 18 June 12.00-13.30
• The Human Rights Act – Wednesday 19 June 12.00-12.45 (this session will be run by BIHR!)

Care Rights UK is recruiting

Do you have a passion for improving the lives of older people needing care and their families? Do you want to help empower people about their rights and to push for a better care system? Our friends at Care Rights UK are recruiting for the positions of Care and Support Adviser, Researcher and Policy and Campaigns Lead. Applications close 17^th June.