Liberty responds to calls to scrap Public Sector Equality Duty

Liberty, the human rights organisation, has responded to the Conservative pledge to scrap the Public Sector Equality Duty.

Akiko Hart, Liberty director, said:

“The UK’s human rights laws underpin our daily lives by protecting us from discrimination because of who we are, who we love, or what we believe in.

“Those calling to weaken or scrap important safeguards like the Public Sector Equality Duty, a vital part of the Equality Act, are not being honest with the public about what they stand to lose. The duty allows everyone the opportunity to fully participate in society, and not be held back just because of who they are. It means that you don’t lose out at work, at school, or elsewhere just because you are disabled, pregnant or a woman. The duty is an essential safety net which not only compels public bodies to respect our rights, but also enables us to seek justice when they get things wrong.

“These announcements are part of a broader trend of very public attacks on rights frameworks. Whether it’s the Public Sector Equality Duty, the Equality Act as a whole, or the European Convention on Human Rights, those in power must not give in to pressure to open the door to the slow erosion of our rights, now or in the coming years.”