FTWW was pleased to contribute insights to the Cross Party Group on Human Rights’ new report: Progress on Human Rights in Wales.
Published on 12th November, the report examines how far the Welsh Government has progressed in strengthening human rights – and what more needs to be done.
Where the right to health is concerned, historical biases which see women’s reporting of symptoms not taken seriously continue to impact on the healthcare we receive, whilst postcode lotteries to more specialist healthcare remain. Too often this sees our right to health not met, with little means to challenge the status quo.
Headline findings:
- Rights remain aspirational not enforceable – people in Wales cannot directly claim their rights when breached, leaving protections dependent on political will and discretionary policy.
- Poverty undermines rights for all – poverty is a barrier to human rights which cuts across education, health, housing and family life.
- Discrimination is systemic – structural racism, gender inequality and ableism shape access to services, opportunities and justice.
- Public services lack consistency and accountability – from healthcare and housing to education and advocacy, provision is patchy, under-resourced, and subject to postcode lotteries.
- Participation and lived experience are sidelined – the voices of disabled people, women, children, and racialised people are often excluded from shaping decisions that affect them.
Recommendations:
- Introduce a Human Rights (Wales) Act
- Strengthen accountability and implementation
- Prioritise cross-cutting action on housing, poverty and inequality
- Embed participation of affected groups
- Deliver on existing commitments without further delay
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