How has the equality and human rights landscape changed since the last Coronation?

Not only is 2023 the year we crown a new Monarch, it also marks a significant year for all National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs), as we celebrate four key milestones:

• ?75th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights;
• 30th Anniversary of the Paris Principles;
• 30 years since the establishment of the Global Alliance of NHRIs;
• And a decade since the European Network of NHRIs was established.

By looking at the history of this momentous work, we can see how the equality and human rights protections we enjoy today have advanced since the first call from the United Nations Economic and Social Council in 1946 to form "local human rights committees" and the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948.

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights was the first international agreement on the basis of human rights and it kick-started the work of National Human Rights Institutions; independent bodies established to stand up for those in need of protection and to hold governments to account for their human rights obligations. In 2009, the Equality and Human Rights Commission became an accredited NHRI and we are now part of a global network of more than 120 NHRIs.

In the 70 years since the last Coronation ceremony, the equality and human rights global landscape has seen many developments. In 1991, 20 NHRIs met in Paris to develop the roles, responsibilities and minimum standards for NHRIs to be considered independent and effective. These became known as the Paris Principles and this year marks the?30th?anniversary of their adoption by the international community.

It has also been 30 years since the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI ) was created with a mission to establish, support, strengthen and be a voice for NHRIs around the world. It began with just 12 members?and has?grown ten-fold?over the past 30 years, and the Equality and Human Rights Commission is proud to be an active member of this global network, as well as the European Network of National Human Rights Institutions (ENNHRI ).

Not only have we seen the development of international human rights treaties over the past 70 years, the UK has also introduced its own legislation to incorporate the protections provided by these treaties into national law. In 1998, the Human Rights Act (HRA) was passed to incorporate the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) into domestic law. ?It sets out the fundamental rights and freedoms that everyone in the UK is entitled to and has improved protection of human rights significantly. It has been used in various cases to provide redress for human rights breaches, notably by families affected by the Hillsborough disaster and people in institutional care settings. This video explains various life-changing cases that have involved the Human Rights Act.

In 2010, the Equality Act 2010 replaced all existing equality legislation such as the Race Relations Act, Disability Discrimination Act and Sex Discrimination Act, providing a legal framework to advance equality of opportunity for all. It covers everyone in Britain and protects people from discrimination, harassment and victimisation, promoting a fairer and more equal society.

As we reflect on the progress of the past 70 years, we should also look forward. Recent proposals to reduce or remove the protections provided by the Human Rights Act remain a cause for concern. As evidenced by our human rights tracker , governments in England and Wales are falling short of their commitments to guarantee the enjoyment of human rights for all. We also recently raised our concerns that the government’s limited engagement in the United Nations Universal Periodic Review process may threaten Great Britain’s longstanding reputation as a champion of human rights.

As the NHRI for England and Wales, recently re-accredited as A-status , we will continue to use our powers to protect human rights and equality in Britain for the decades to come.?