Speaking in the week of the 70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Mark Isherwood AM has commended the progress that has been made to date but stated “there is still much more to do”.
In this afternoon’s Assembly debate on ‘International Human Rights Day 12/12/18’, Mr Isherwood also noted that leaving the EU will not affect people’s rights under the European Convention on Human Rights.
He said:
“Human Rights Day two days ago marked the 70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, a milestone document that proclaimed the inalienable rights which everyone is inherently entitled to as a human being -- regardless of race, colour, religion, sex, language, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status. It is the most translated document in the world, available in more than 500 languages.
“I move Amendment 2, noting that the UK Government recognises that all rights set out in the UN Declaration of Human Rights are of equal importance and welcoming the action taken by the UK Government in prioritising tackling modern day slavery, defending freedom of religion or belief, ending inequality and discrimination, and promoting democracy.
He added: “In September 2017 the Prime Minister convened world leaders at the UN General Assembly to launch a call to action to end modern slavery, one of the great Human rights challenges of our time. The UK Government has doubled aid spending on the issue to address the root causes; strengthen law-enforcement capacity in transit countries; and support the victims. A year on from the Prime Minister’s Call to Action, positive endorsements have been received from over 80 countries.
“At October’s North Wales Modern Slavery Forum organised by Haven for Light, and attended by Wales’ Anti-Slavery Coordinator, we heard that modern slavery was alive in business, agriculture, hospitality, criminal activity and sexual exploitation.”
Mr Isherwood noted that “the freedom of individuals and organisations to discuss, debate and criticise, or to hold governments to account, is an essential element of a successful society”, and that “all people should be able to live with dignity, free from all forms of violence or discrimination, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity”.
He also noted that “The UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office appointed its first Special Envoy on Gender Equality last year, who works to promote Gender Equality at an international level” and spoke of the need to protect the rights of disabled people and “transform their lives”.
He added:
“Leaving the EU does not affect our rights under the European Convention on Human Rights – or ECHR - as this comes from the Council of Europe, not the EU. The UK Government has clearly stated that the UK is committed to membership of the ECHR and that withdrawing from it would run counter to its vision of a “Global Britain.”
“The ECHR is both British and Conservative in origin – it was advocated by Winston Churchill and was drafted by former Conservative Home Secretary, David Maxwell-Fyfe.
“In the seventieth year since its adoption, the UN Declaration on Human Rights remains a powerful statement of hope and aspiration for us all. There has been great progress since 1948, but we live in a dangerous World and there is still much more to do.”
