Weekly Human Rights News: 12-01-24

The University of Essex is offering a short course on Human Rights and Local Government, designed to give professionals practical tools to implement human rights at a local level. The course will consist of six 90-minute modules taught online over two consecutive weeks in April and May 2024.

Our CEO, Sanchita, and Head of Policy & Programmes, Carlyn, will be joining the teaching team as guest lecturers for sessions two and three. They will cover the duties of public authorities, looking at law, policy and best practice.

We'll soon be launching the next phase of our nationwide Communities programme, which is open to groups and organisations across the UK. This programme runs on an annual cycle and starts with an opportunity for community and voluntary groups to apply for bespoke, introductory workshops to learn more about the practical use of the Human Rights Act, and how the legal duties and rights can be used to challenge the social injustices and disadvantage they are seeking to change. You can read more about previous years on our website and get on the mailing list to be the first to hear when applications open for 2024. Applications are expected to open in January.

We’re working with Lived Experience Expert Kirsten to prepare a new workshop as part of our Practice Leads programme for an NHS Trust in northern England. We’ll be looking specifically at human rights and restrictive practice, including restraint, seclusion, observations and technology in different health and care settings.

The Joint Committee on Human Rights is examining the new Rwanda Bill

The Joint Committee on Human Rights (JCHR) is currently looking at the Safety in Rwanda (Asylum & Immigration) Bill to see what it means for people’s human rights. On Wednesday 10^th January, the JCHR heard evidence from experts from the Immigration Law Practitioners’ Association, JUSTICE and Refugee Council. You can find out more about the Bill and our concerns about its impact on human rights in our explainer. You can also read our explainer on the court case that led to the Bill, in which the UK Supreme Court said the proposed Rwanda policy was illegal because it would put people at risk of inhuman or degrading treatment.

Joanna Cherry KC MP is the new chair of the Joint Committee on Human Rights

On Thursday 11^th January, it was announced that Joanna Cherry KC MP has been elected as the new Chair of the Joint Committee on Human Rights (JCHR). She is taking over from Harriet Harman, who has been the Chair of the Committee since October 2015.

Read more about the JCHR