Policy Hub
On 10 December 2004, the Institute of Public Policy Research (ippr) published a report (Human Rights: Who needs them?) which finds that many ordinary and vulnerable citizens have missed out on invoking the Human Rights Act over the last four years. The research shows that older people and residents of care homes are among those who could most benefit from the Act but who haven't used it.
The research concludes that the voluntary sector can play a crucial role in helping the most vulnerable claim their human rights while avoiding the courts. It explains how charities can use human rights as a powerful tool to persuade public bodies to make the necessary changes to protect people when they experience maltreatment and discrimination. Voluntary groups should be able to use the Act's right to private and family life and the prohibition on degrading treatment to drive up standards in care homes, improve housing conditions and improve the poor services provided to many healthcare patients, disabled people and victims of crime.
ippr's report also points the way for the new Commission for Equality and Human Rights (CEHR) which is due to begin work in 2007. It argues that the Commission should have the dual role of supporting the voluntary and community sector in campaigning for human rights while acting as a watchdog for legal compliance.
A summary can be viewed on the ippr website