14. Memorandum from The Runnymede
Trust
We are grateful to be provided with the opportunity
to submit our views on the implementation by the UK Government
of the CERD recommendations.
The Runnymede Trust is an independent policy
research organisation focusing on equality and justice through
the promotion of a successful multi-ethnic society.
Our mandate is to promote a successful multi-ethnic
Britain—a Britain where citizens and communities feel valued,
enjoy equal opportunities to develop their talents, lead fulfilling
lives and accept collective responsibility, all in the spirit
of civic friendship, shared identity and a common sense of belonging.
We act as a bridge-builder between various minority ethnic communities
and policy-makers. We believe that the way ahead lies in building
effective partnerships and we are continually developing these
with the voluntary sector, the Government, local authorities and
companies in the UK and Europe. We stimulate debate and suggest
forward-looking strategies in areas of public policy such as education,
the criminal justice system, employment and citizenship.
Runnymede was actively involved in the production
of the Joint Submission by NGOs to CERD with regard to the UK
Government's 16th periodic review. Much of the Committee's conclusions
were inspired by the latter report as will the following comments
as it is still of great relevance to the UK Government's policy
on race discrimination.
Rather than a comprehensive submission, we would
like to focus our response to the following CERD recommendations
that the UK Government has failed to take action on so far:
WORLD CONFERENCE
AGAINST RACISM
(WCAR)
Although CERD commended the UK Government for
its efforts to prepare a National Action Plan Against Racism (NAPAR)
to implement the WCAR conclusions, we are concerned that the process
towards producing the NAPAR has been stalled for a number of months.
The UK Government has indicated that the NAPAR would be included
in the future Race Equality and Community Cohesion Strategy from
the Home Office, to be presented in the New Year; however, no
mention of the NAPAR was to be found in the "Strength in
Diversity" document which consulted on the future plans for
this strategy.
Whilst we appreciate that there is de facto
overlap between a NAPAR and the current Strategy, we would welcome
some clarification on the way that the Strategy will endeavour
to form the basis of a future NAPAR, and what additional steps
will be taken to ensure a NAPAR is developed and implemented beyond
this strategy
INCONSISTENT LEGISLATION
The Joint NGO Submission to CERD mentioned above
states the following regarding UK legislation on racism—
"The fragmentary nature of UK anti-discrimination
legislation is a cause for particular concern having regard to
the inequalities in UK society, and the reduced protection afforded
to some marginalised groups. There is no free standing right to
equality in the UK. There are numerous inconsistencies between
the main discrimination Acts. Consequently, the UK anti-discrimination
framework is notoriously complex and convoluted and cannot be
said to be easily accessible".[170]
We therefore urge the UK Government to adopt
a Single Equality Act, which would provide consistent, comprehensive
and effective legislation against discrimination. This is particularly
needed as the Government is introducing a new bill to set up a
Commission for Equality and Human Rights.
MEDIA COVERAGE
AFFECTING BLACK
AND MINORITY
ETHNIC COMMUNITIES
AND ASYLUM
SEEKERS
The Joint NGO submission to CERD flagged up
the concerns of black and minority ethnic communities in relation
to the sometimes negative role of the media, in particular in
relation to asylum issues where coverage is often inaccurate and,
in some cases inflammatory. [171]The
media play a significant role in amplifying perspectives that
endanger both race equality and community cohesion. The circulation
of misinformation should be challenged by authoritative sources.
Ensuring that truthful information about groups vulnerable to
racism is delivered through the media is especially important
given the lack of access that such groups often have to setting
media agenda, and the threat that this poses to developing a sense
of belonging. Government can and should play a leading role in
this.
Unhelpful statements by government to justify
increasingly harsh measures for asylum seekers continue to fuel
media comment that undermines attempts to build the conditions
for community cohesion. The media have a significant role to play
in the debate and have often been responsible for inappropriate
accusations against asylum seekers and heightening tensions towards
newcomers to our society. The impact of negative media coverage
is counter-productive to community cohesion and also often to
race equality.
A sensitive response to media editors that maintains
the democratic right to criticise and upholds freedom of speech,
while ensuring racial tensions are not inflamed, needs to be developed.
RIGHT OF
INDIVIDUAL PETITION
UNDER ARTICLE
14 OF CERD
We understand that the Government's review of
international human rights obligations decided not to accept individual
petition under CERD, however, we wish to register our disappointment
with this decision, especially as it is inconsistent with the
recent decision to allow this right to individual petition under
the Optional Protocol of the Convention on the Elimination of
all forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW).
We would like to thank the Committee once again
for the opportunity to take our views in consideration and look
forward to the results of its report.
26 November 2004
170 Joint Submission by NGOs to the UN Committee for
the Elimination of all forms of Racial Discrimination (CERD) with
regard to the UK Government's 16th Periodic Review, August 2003,
p 13. Back
171
Ibid, p 12. Back
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