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Using Human Rights and Equality to Analyse and Challenge the Public Spending Cuts - Report of an Expert Workshop
On 6th November 2012, James Harrison, Mary-Ann Stephenson and Ann Stewart organised an expert workshop to examine existing approaches to analysing and challenging the public spending cuts using human rights and equality law. The workshop included leading academics, legal practitioners, civil society activists and trade union representatives. ]
This week we lauch the report of that workshop. The report highlights various key findings of existing approaches that will be useful for those interested in work in this field. It also identifies a number of recommendations for future action to promote future analysis and challenge; The creation of web-based resources; the production of further guidance and research; the formation of a network of actors and further workshops and training events. The report is available here.
Baha Mousa: guilty verdict on doctor should force an inquiry into Iraq abuse
Andrew Williams, Co-Director of the Centre for Human Rights in Practice and author of "A Very British Killing: The Death of Baha Mousa" has recently written about the General Medical Council's guilty verdict for doctor Derek Keilloh, who examined Baha Mousa.
He argues that this verdict should force an inquiry into Iraq abuse; "The "stain on the British army" that General Sir Michael Jackson (the chief of the general staff from 2003 to 2006) said the Mousa affair represented, will remain unless and until these allegations are fully uncovered and appropriate action is taken. The General Medical Council's finding against Keilloh should shame the government to take action before any order of the courts is made"
To read the full article please click here.
Workshop on Equality and Human Rights Approaches to the Public Spending Cuts
On 6 November, the Centre for Human Rights in Practice brought together a select group of experts - lawyers, civil society activists, trade unions and academics from across the UK - to discuss human rights and equality approaches to the public spending cuts.
Since the coalition Government introduced its programme of public sector austerity in 2010 equalities and human rights legislation and standards have been a key tool for civil society groups, unions, lawyers and academics to analyse and challenge the public sector spending cuts. With the austerity programme now looking set to continue for the next decade, this is an important time to reflect on our experience and plan for the future.
The workshop gave rise to a range of ideas for future action and a report will be produced and publicised on the website which includes ideas for next steps.