Fairness for All: A New Commission for Equality and Human Rights: Oxfam’s response to the White Paper

Overview

Oxfam believes that poverty, social exclusion and discrimination represent a denial of human rights, preventing people from exercising their full rights (e.g. to housing, adequate health care, education, to an adequate standard of living). In our view, there are also important connections between economic inequality, and inequality based on social divisions such as age, disability, race, gender, sexual orientation, and religious affiliation. We recognise the progress that has been made since 1997 in developing a legal and institutional framework to tackle inequalities and promote human rights. We welcome the Government’s proposals to establish a Commission for Equality and Human Rights (CEHR), and believe that this body can play a significant role in developing a culture of human rights in the UK.