Weekly Human Rights News: 03-11-23

This event was the first of four free London human rights events taking place between November 2023 and February 2024. The next event will be on 15th November in Shoreditch and is open for registration here. 

At the event we offered attendees an introduction to human rights law and a human rights based approach. Attendees supported us by sharing the key human rights issues faced by their communities. This learning will help us to take forward our programme of bespoke human rights support for communities in London.

By coming to these events, attendees are first to find out more about funded human rights support which will be opening for applications in March 2024. 

Please be aware that the external human rights news BIHR shares weekly contains difficult and potentially triggering issues.  This week's external news includes care home abuse, children seeking asylum at risk, and inadequate care.

The Secretary of State apologises for care home abuse 

A landmark legal claim settlement has been achieved on behalf of a mother and her son who was subjected to a regime of abuse and harm at a care home called Veilstone in Devon. Whilst Devon County Council has made a full written apology, The Secretary of State for Health has agreed to make an apology.

Source: Leigh Day

New report on human rights risks related to the placement of asylum-seeking children 

Housing homeless and asylum-seeking children in hotels could be a violation of their human rights, according to a new report by Scotland’s Children’s Commissioner.

According to the report, children in Scotland have been placed in these types of arrangements because of UK government policy, arguing that their human rights could be infringed upon

Source: The Herald

A watchdog said hospitals are failing people with learning disabilities

The safety of people with learning disabilities in England is being compromised when they are admitted to hospital, a watchdog says.

Saffron Cordery, of NHS Providers, which represents hospitals, said services were committed to "stamping out" the inequalities this group of patients faced.

But she said there needed to be investment in training programmes and a more consistent approach to specialist support.

Source: BBC news