United Kingdom
Investigative Journalist | Editor of EachOther UK | Co-founder of The Great Central Gazette | Co-Hosted LessThan2Percent podcast | Channel4 Alumna 🎥 | Doctoral Candidate Human Rights Law |
We take a look back at the biggest stories of 2023, a year that will be remembered as a time of upheaval for human rights issues in the UK.
Almost 2.6 million people living in the UK at the end of 2022 held visas that, while valid, in most circumstances would deny them access to welfare.
91% of people seeking asylum don't always have enough for food. Without the ability to earn an income, those seeking asylum rely on asylum support to survive.
Leicester's garment manufacturers are notorious for allegations of modern slavery and dangerous working conditions. Sick of their mistreatment at the hands of factory bosses, workers are organising to demand an end to their exploitation.
The conference, which has now come to a close made national and international headlines throughout the week, for political stances on migrants, asylum seekers, education and the LGBTQ+ community.
8,000 schools are yet to be checked, meanwhile, NHS England has stated that it anticipates checks to be completed by the weekend.
And their journey for justice.
and what the results could tell us about the future landscape of local politics.
Five 'legal observers' have raised over £10,000 to help fund a claim against the Metropolitan (Met) police over the abuse they say they faced at Kill the Bill protests in 2021.
More than 400 unaccompanied children have gone missing from hotels run by the Home Office; but what is being done to find them?
Questions regarding the legality of the bill remain as former PM warns that, if passed, the bill will force more people into slavery.
The NHS has protected our right to health for 75 years - now, it's thought most frontline medics believe that the government is 'seeking to destroy it'.
The Covid inquiry heard how in March 2020, NHS England assured the health and social care committee that stocks were adequate, despite allegedly knowing that stocks of most PPE wouldn't last a fortnight.
To keep telling the stories that put the human into human rights, EachOther relies on your generous support. The Law Commission of England and Wales is considering whether juryless trials could help improve rape conviction rates.
To keep telling the stories that put the human into human rights, EachOther relies on your generous support. A recent exhibition in Brixton, London, focussed the lens on deaths in state custody and care. SoulsINQUEST was created in conjunction with families bereaved by deaths in police contact, prisons, mental health and care units.
To keep telling the stories that put the human into human rights, EachOther relies on your generous support. Following the arrests of dozens of protestors on 6 May 2023, the day of the Coronation of King Charles, police officers, barristers, campaigners and volunteers have been giving evidence before the home affairs select committee.
To keep telling the stories that put the human into human rights, EachOther relies on your generous support. On 12 May 2021, former prime minister Boris Johnson announced that there would be an inquiry into the handling of the Covid-19 pandemic in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
To keep telling the stories that put the human into human rights, EachOther relies on your generous support. As the UK announces the final evacuation flights for British nationals out of Sudan, we ask the question: what rights do Brits have abroad?
To keep telling the stories that put the human into human rights, EachOther relies on your generous support. AI is the simulation of human intelligence by machines. It requires a foundation of specialised hardware and software for writing and training machine learning algorithms. AI programming focuses on cognitive skills that include learning, reasoning, self-correction and creativity.
According to the charity Inquest, since the beginning of the year, six people have died in police custody or otherwise following contact with the police. Last year, 301 people died in prison custody and in 2021 there were 191 deaths in police custody.
To keep telling the stories that put the human into human rights, EachOther relies on your generous support. The government have been urged to consider reforming universal credit by implementing an 'essentials guarantee' to ensure that people from low-income households who are receiving the benefit do not go without basic necessities.
To keep telling the stories that put the human into human rights, EachOther relies on your generous support. On 21 February 2023, the minister for women and equalities, Kemi Badenoch, wrote to the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) to ask for advice on the definition of the protected characteristic of 'sex' in the Equality Act 2010.
To keep telling the stories that put the human into human rights, EachOther relies on your generous support. For the last 25 years, following the Belfast (Good Friday) Agreement in 1998 - which helped bring conflict in Northern Ireland to an end - there has been a call for a dedicated Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland.
To keep telling the stories that put the human into human rights, EachOther relies on your generous support. The Metropolitan Police has today reported on the progress of Operation Onyx - a review of the police officers and staff against whom the Met has heard concerning reports of domestic or sexual incidents.
To keep telling the stories that put the human into human rights, EachOther relies on your generous support. You have probably heard about the Illegal Migration Bill, which has made most of the country's front pages recently. However, one aspect of migration policy you may not have heard of is the Voluntary Returns Service, also run by the Home Office.
To keep telling the stories that put the human into human rights, EachOther relies on your generous support. The 'Help to Claim' support will continue to be delivered independently for another year by Citizens Advice and Citizens Advice Scotland, following a £22m investment by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).
The Human Rights Act has been described as a vital "safety net" for people living in the UK. The law - which was by the UK Parliament in 1998 and took effect in 2000 - incorporates into domestic law the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR).
To keep telling the stories that put the human into human rights, EachOther relies on your generous support. On 27 March, MPs were back in parliament to debate the proposed Illegal Migration Bill. Its return to the House of Commons has reportedly split Tory MPs over the issue of its hardening stance on people arriving on small boats across the Channel.
To keep telling the stories that put the human into human rights, EachOther relies on your generous support. Almost 200,000 people seeking asylum could be detained or forced into destitution under the proposed Illegal Migration Bill.
To keep telling the stories that put the human into human rights, EachOther relies on your generous support. A new report from the National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC), released 14 March 2023, presents the first national assessment of police performance on tackling violence against women and girls (VAWG).
To keep telling the stories that put the human into human rights, EachOther relies on your generous support. Following the publication of the Illegal Migration Bill, EachOther summarises developments in the Bill and what it could mean for victims of modern slavery in the UK.
To keep telling the stories that put the human into human rights, EachOther relies on your generous support. The controversial Public Order Bill is receiving final amendments from Parliament and will receive Royal Assent before becoming an official Act. Here is what those amendments mean for your rights.
To keep telling the stories that put the human into human rights, EachOther relies on your generous support. Prime minister Rishi Sunak is set to introduce an Illegal Migration Bill to remove migrants arriving on small boats and ban them from re-entering the UK .
Nus Ghani, Conservative MP for Wealden, was replaced as transport minister in a February 2020 reshuffle, during which she was allegedly told that her "Muslimness was raised as an issue".
To keep telling the stories that put the human into human rights, EachOther relies on your generous support. The government has announced details of a household support fund (HSF) extension worth £842m. From 1 April, the additional funding will be allocated to local authorities to help the most vulnerable households across England.
To keep telling the stories that put the human into human rights, EachOther relies on your generous support. On 24 February 2022, the president of Russia, Vladimir Putin ordered a Russian invasion on Ukraine. Since then, life has changed for the people who fled to the UK.
With rising public concern and letters proving regulators had warned water company CEOs about 'illegally' dumping untreated sewage into UK waterways, could the government face the European Court of Justice again over risks to public health?
To keep telling the stories that put the human into human rights, EachOther relies on your generous support. On 15 February, Scotland's first minister Nicola Sturgeon announced her resignation, saying the job "takes its toll on you and all around you". Sturgeon is the longest-serving First Minister, as well as the first woman elected to the role.
To keep telling the stories that put the human into human rights, EachOther relies on your generous support. Energy companies will no longer be able to force households onto prepayment meters following concerns that debt agents had broken into vulnerable people's homes. In 2022, magistrates approved more than 1,000 warrants a day for this.
The Church of England has been urged to 'come out for love' this Valentine's Day. The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, has been asked by members of the LBGTQI+ community to come out as an ally. Following what has been called "glacial" progress by the church, comedian Sandi Toksvig has launched a campaign to show solidarity with LGBTQI+ people across the UK.
To keep telling the stories that put the human into human rights, EachOther relies on your generous support. This week, news of the latest threat to pull the UK out of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) made headlines in The Sunday Times.
To keep telling the stories that put the human into human rights, EachOther relies on your generous support. The government intends to amend the Victims Bill to clarify that children who were born as a result of rape are entitled to support from criminal justice agencies such as the police and courts.
To keep telling the stories that put the human into human rights, EachOther relies on your generous support. Black women are more likely than people from any white background to be detained under the Mental Health Act (MHA).
To keep telling the stories that put the human into human rights, EachOther relies on your generous support. The UK is facing a 'national crisis' of sexual violence and harassment in schools. According to new findings by the End Violence Against Women coalition (EVAW), 80% of girls think schools need to do more to tackle sexual harassment.
To keep telling the stories that put the human into human rights, EachOther relies on your generous support. Content warning: The following article is about so-called honour-based abuse and includes references to forced marriage, rape and murder.
Shortly after arriving on the scene, Lewis posted to the A Team group an article about the discovery of the bodies, saying he and his colleagues were "living the Wembley dream". Lewis wrote: "Unfortunately I'm sat next to two dead birds full of stab wounds."
To keep telling the stories that put the human into human rights, EachOther relies on your generous suppor. The High Court has instructed the home secretary, Suella Braverman, to immediately increase the weekly support payments made to asylum seekers from £40.85 to £45.
The High Court will allow an appeal against last month's ruling which found the Home Office's Rwanda policy to be lawful. Under the £120m migration partnership scheme, people seeking asylum would be sent to Rwanda where their claim would be assessed.
Over 70 organisations from across civil society in England and Wales have provided evidence for a new report to the UN on the UK's human rights record. The report concludes that rights in the UK - including everyday rights such as to food, housing, social security, work, trade unions, health and education - are in crisis.
The House of Commons Justice Committee has launched an inquiry into the public's opinion and understanding of sentencing. The Justice Committee will examine their understanding of the current approach to sentencing in England and Wales. It has made us ask the question: what does sentencing mean for our rights?
Two million people on legacy benefits missed out more than £1,500 in extra Universal Credit support payments during the Covid-19 lockdown in the UK. Four claimants brought a challenge to the High Court in November 2021 in relation to the UK government's failure to apply a similar increase to legacy benefits.
On 10 January, the government introduced the Strikes (Minimum Service Levels) Bill or anti-strike Bill to Parliament. While the bill has some way to go as it makes its way through several readings and into the House of Lords, union members say that it the legislation is not necessary.
The government has accepted recommendations made by the Joint Committee on Human Rights (JCHR) on protecting human rights in health and social care settings. A formal response has been published following concerns about the protection of human rights in care settings which include the right to life (Article 2) and the right to be free from torture and degrading treatment (Article 3).
A Bill has been tabled to extend eligibility for free school meals to all children in state primary schools. It was read for the first time in front of the House of Commons last month by Zarah Sultana, MP for Coventry South.
2022 may be remembered as one of the more turbulent years for human rights in the UK. Now, we look ahead at what might be in store for our rights in 2023. The return of the Bill of Rights?
Ahead of the men's football World Cup final this weekend, we look at the human rights issues which have been thrown up by this year's tournament. Attracting controversy from the outset, the competition has been played against a backdrop of human rights questions and campaigns.
Campaign coalition One Strong Voice has partnered with Ben and Jerry's to give home secretary Suella Braverman an advent calendar with a difference. Instead of treats, every door in the One Strong Dream calendar reveals a message from a refugee or a person seeking asylum about their hopes for the future.
The Health and Social Care Committee has launched an inquiry into assisted dying. It was announced during a parliamentary session on 5 December following a private members' Bill which was introduced to the House of Lords in 2021.
Kendall said: "This whole area is a major problem that has dogged mental health for years. We are currently in a position where people from Black and Black British backgrounds are subject to the Mental Health Act about four to five times more than expected.
The National Security Bill aims to completely overhaul 'outdated' espionage laws and create new measures to allow law enforcement and intelligence agencies to deter, detect and disrupt threats to the UK. But MPs and press freedom organisations fear that the Bill is vague and could lead to journalists, whistleblowers and activists being treated like spies.
It's been called 'the Bill of Rights Bill', 'the Rights Removal Bill', 'worse than useless', 'a complete mess', 'a political nightmare'. The chances are that in the last year you've heard one of these statements describe the Bill of Rights, which is set to return to parliament shortly and replace the Human Rights Act 1998 (HRA).
Article 23 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights recognises thatthe right to work is a fundamental right, but under UK law people seeking asylum are not allowed to work. With growing public support, the charity Refugee Action asked the Treasury an important question: would it accept £300m a year in exchange for lifting the ban?
News Last week, the chancellor of the exchequer Jeremy Hunt released the autumn statement, which he says will deliver a plan to tackle the cost of living crisis and rebuild the economy.
News Over 90% of people referred to the National Referral Mechanism (NRM) from immigration detention are victims of trafficking, says a new report. The referrals into the NRM by 'first responders' included survivors of slavery, trafficking and torture.
In response to the judgment, on 1 November 2021 the Legal Aid Agency amended the legal aid contract to provide a legal advice service for all immigration detainees held in prisons, whereby they can access 30 minutes of advice without reference to their financial eligibility.
A Syrian asylum seeker at Brook House Immigration Removal Centre in West Sussex speaks about their experience coming to the UK. This statement originally appeared on Detained Voices. I am of Syrian nationality. Our country has been in an ongoing war for 10 years, I am 24 years old now, so when the war started I was 14 years old.
Awaab Ishak, a two-year-old boy from Rochdale, Greater Manchester, died in 2020 from a severe respiratory condition caused by prolonged exposure to mould in his home, an inquest has heard. The right to an adequate standard of living - which includes decent housing conditions - ought to protect people in the UK from living in a home which causes them harm.
Currently, thousands of people seeking asylum are detained in immigration centres across the UK. With concerns around conditions, recent attacks and reports of deteriorating mental health of the people held inside, campaigners are calling on the Home Office to take alternatives to immigration detention seriously.
Under a new scheme, local authorities in England, Scotland and Wales will receive financial support to house people seeking asylum. The Home Office has said that the Asylum Dispersal Grant will support local authorities through one-off payments of £250 per person seeking asylum.
News A young girl made national headlines for throwing a letter out of Manston migrant processing centre to a reporter. The girl, who is being held in immigration detention at the centre in Kent, threw the message in a bottle over the fence in an act of desperation.
How would you feel if you were given a one-way ticket to another continent and forced to move after surviving the journey to seek refuge? It's the question that One Strong Voice asked asked Conservative politicians and members.
Opinion 20 years ago, to save her life, Nadine Tunasi made a last resort decision to flee the Democratic Republic of Congo where her and her family were branded as enemies of the state. Nadine has lived in the UK for the past 20 years which she calls her 'sanctuary'.
News People fleeing war and seeking safety in the UK are forced to live on £8.24 a week under government support allowances. Amid a cost of living crisis, and what will be the longest recession this country has ever faced, people in our communities are struggling to feed their families.
Everyone in the UK has a right to personal freedom. This means you must not be imprisoned or detained without good reason. But for people arriving in the UK, there are concerns that the right to liberty is being breached by indefinite detention.
Survivors of the Rwanda genocide were made homeless within two days of the UK signing the controversial Rwanda migration partnership. Hostel Hope, in the Rwandan capital of Kigali, has housed survivors of the 1994 genocide for nearly 30 years, but they were made destitute when new arrangements were made to accommodate asylum seekers from the [...]
Prisoners sentenced under draconian guidance are serving sentences which were abolished in 2012 when the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) found them to be "fundamentally unjust" and "unlawful". A total of 1,661 offenders sentenced under Imprisonment for Public Protection (IPP) continue to serve prolonged or unjust sentences.
Today, the High Court will hear a case against the Home Office's "unlawful" Rwanda Policy, which seeks to send asylum seekers and refugees to the African country under a migration partnership signed in April this year.
Following the inquest, Molly's father, Ian Russell, the coroner and the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) have called for the Online Safety Bill to go ahead in the hopes of protecting children in the future.
The Justice Committee has pointed out flaws of the Victims Bill in a pre-legislative report that raises significant concerns for victims of crimes and abuse across the UK. The cross-party committee noted problems in the way "victims" are defined, a lack of enforcement powers and the need for additional funding and resources for the Bill to be effective.
In 1981, the first cases of 'Gay-Related Immune Deficiency', known as GRID, were identified in the United States. This disease would later be known as HIV. In 1982, a 37-year-old man named Terry Higgins collapsed on the dancefloor of the London nightclub Heaven, where he would occasionally DJ.
Violence broke out last weekend in Leicester, a city which has been experiencing religious tension and 'serious disorder' since August. On 17 and 18 September, large crowds formed in the east of the city after groups of young men began an 'unplanned protest', inciting tension and violence between the Hindu and Muslim communities.
The High Court has granted permission to proceed with a challenge to an undisclosed Home Office policy which states that asylum seekers can only be dispersed from temporary hotel accommodation on an "expedited" basis if there are "exceptional circumstances".
Having dived into prime minister Liz Truss's human rights record, we take a look at the records of the ministers she has appointed to her cabinet - many of whom have come under fire for representing issues they have actively tried to restrict, including the environment, migration, access to healthcare, welfare benefits and public services.
Following the death of Queen Elizabeth II and ascension to the throne of King Charles, several people have been arrested in connection to protests and criticisms of the monarchy. The 'anti-monarchy' protestors were arrested this week, for holding up signs reading: 'Not my King', blank pieces of paper and calling out messages of criticism of Prince Andrew.
Today marks the final hearing for Care4Calais's and Detention Action's cases to be heard, with a judicial review brought by Asylum Aid set for next month. Under the migration partnership that former home secretary Priti Patel signed with the Rwandan government, no deportation flights have taken off so far.
On 6 September a Private Members' Bill calling for fairer appeal processes passed its first reading in the House of Commons. The Criminal Appeal (Amendment) Bill or 'Joint Enterprise' Bill, calls for a fairer appeals process for those who remain detained on remand and convicted by joint enterprise will now progress to a second reading later this year.
The newly appointed prime minister, Liz Truss is reported to be considering a lengthy freeze on energy bills for homes and businesses. Awaiting the roll-out of further support amidst an energy and cost of living crisis, we look at the schemes that might be available to you now.
Liz Truss has just been voted by Conservative peers and members to be the next prime minister. The former secretary of state for foreign, commonwealth and development affairs has a track record of voting against human rights progression in the UK and as prime minister will be involved in policy decisions that will radically change rights protections.
On 31 March 2022, the City of Edinburgh Council voted in favour of a 'nil-cap' on 'Sexual Entertainment Venue' licenses' (SEVs). The vote moves to shutting down all strip clubs in the city by April 2023 and forbidding any new ones to open.
In February 2021, the High Court found that the lack of legal advice for immigration detainees in prisons was 'discriminatory and unlawful'. The judgment found that the difference in treatment between detainees in prisons and detainees in IRCs constituted 'unlawful discrimination' contrary to article 14 of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR).
Listen to this episode from Less than 2 percent on Spotify. In the third and final episode of Less than 2%, we hear about the impact of trauma on the lives of survivors.
Listen to this episode from Less than 2 percent on Spotify. In the second episode of Less than 2%, we see what happens when survivors go to the courts, if their case even gets there in the first place.
Listen to this episode from Less than 2 percent on Spotify. In the first episode of Less than 2%, we look at where survivors go when they experience sexual violence, their decision to report the incident to the police, and the way the police investigate the claim.
A consultation has been launched which could determine whether public sexual harassment could become a criminal offence in the UK. The government has launched a consultation to hear from organisations and local government about whether a specific offence for public sexual harassment should be created.
A new report estimates the total number of people expected to be living in fuel poverty in the UK could rise to 35 million in the coming months. Rising energy bills, inflation and a cost-of-living crisis have left experts concerned about the nation's welfare.
Organisations are being asked to submit evidence to help the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) assess how well our socio-economic and cultural rights are protected in the UK. It's happening o n a backdrop of the Human Rights Act being replaced with a controversial Bill of Rights and a cost-of-living crisis, which is affecting people's daily lives, across the UK.
Five years on from Grenfell, the government is 'failing' disabled people across the UK by not implementing changes recommended by the Grenfell inquiry. The Home Office has rejected a recommendation from the inquiry, which would require owners of high-rise residential buildings to prepare personal emergency evacuation plans (PEEPs) for disabled residents.
A year after the Government's Rape Review, a pilot scheme was announced that would establish three specialist rape courts in England. But with concerns from the sector about access to justice, survivors' welfare and funding: Will specialist rape courts address low conviction rates and support survivors of domestic abuse and sexual violence?
The Metropolitan Police (Met) subjected 650 children to 'traumatising' strip-searches across two years and on average have strip-searched five children a day over the last five years in London. 95% of the children were boys, with over half described by officers as Black.
TRIGGER WARNING: Please note that this piece includes language and themes of child abuse, virginity testing and coercion that some may find triggering. The government has made it illegal to carry out, offer or aid and abet virginity testing or hymenoplasty in any part of the UK under the Health and Care Act 2022.
In a landmark victory, the High Court has ruled Friends of The Earth ClientEarth , who took the Government to court over its Net Zero Strategy. Now that the policy has been deemed unlawful, the government must revise its strategy and lay out a credible plan for meeting emissions targets.
Support EachOther's independent journalism, filmmaking and storytelling to build backing in the UK for human rights. Make a donation here: Following the latest round of voting by Conservative MPs, two candidates remain in the Tory leadership race: former Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rishi Sunak, and Foreign Secretary, Liz Truss.
Support EachOther's independent journalism, filmmaking and storytelling to build backing in the UK for human rights. Make a donation here All information is accurate at the time of publication. Following Boris Johnson's resignation as Leader of the Conservative Party last week, five Tory MPs remain in the running to become the next Prime Minister.
TRIGGER WARNING: Please note that this piece includes language and themes of domestic abuse and sexual violence that some may find triggering. There are hopes that plans to scrap a housing requirement may make it easier in the future for survivors of domestic abuse in England to find accommodation.
TRIGGER WARNING: Please note that this piece includes language and themes of domestic, child abuse and sexual violence that some may find triggering. This week, following the publication of the draft Victims Bill , experts and MPs have given evidence at a pre-legislative scrutiny hearing brought by the Justice Committee.
The Human Rights Act 1998 (HRA) is the landmark legislation that prevents people in the UK having their rights trampled by the state. It was introduced in part to 'bring rights home'. Almost 25 years later, the government proposes to overhaul it and replace it with a new Bill of Rights in a move that has been described as a 'power grab ' '.
Article 19's work defends the right for all voices to be heard, regardless of their status. The international advocacy group works to ensure that everyone can freely express themself and actively engage in public life without fear of discrimination. Article 19 speaks with one voice, through courts of law and through global and regional organisations.
In February this year, the government announced new plans for living with Covid-19 following the global pandemic. As part of their roadmap to living with the virus, many Covid-19 support measures that had been put in place were stopped, potentially jeopardising the right to access adequate healthcare, the right to an adequate standard of living and more.
On 31 March, Edinburgh Council voted to introduce a 'nil-cap' policy (ban) on strip clubs in the city. Councillors decided to ban such venues in the city, despite warnings from fellow councillors that they could face legal action over a decision which 'would just drive activities underground'.
'Joint enterprise' is a common law doctrine according to which an individual can be jointly convicted of the crime of another. It is a feature of law that has been misinterpreted for over 30 years.
On the same day Prince Charles declared in the Queen's Speech that the government intends to replace the Human Rights Act (HRA) with a new Bill of Rights, civil liberties activists rallied behind a campaign in what may be a last attempt to protect it.
Last week, parliament passed the heavily criticised Nationality and Borders Bill, which will soon become UK law. But campaigners against its contents are not losing hope. The same week, charity Freedom From Torture won a court case against the government over its plans to 'push back' refugee boats.
Liberty's landmark litigation against the UK's mass surveillance laws - The Investigatory Powers Act, also known as the "Snoopers' Charter" - has taken a step forward after the Government admitted that its safeguards are inadequate and judges ordered the case to proceed.
Children and young people struggling with their mental health are being turned away by NHS child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS), even if they are experiencing depression, self-harm, psychosis and eating disorders, because of over-stretched services with extremely long waiting lists.
New legislation against domestic violence in Northern Ireland will 'save lives', as Stormont recognises coercive control as a criminal offence. The move means that coercive control is illegal right across the UK, following its recognition as such in each of England, Scotland and Wales.
The names of individuals in this article have been changed to protect their identities. Imagine for a moment that you are being kicked out of your house because your landlord is selling. Then imagine you are a single mum with two children under the age of two.
If so, tell us about it by emailing us Mail us On 31 March 2022, Edinburgh Council will vote on whether to limit the number of strip clubs in the city or to impose a cap on them set at zero (a 'nil-cap' policy), which would ban strip clubs in the area altogether, potentially forcing the four existing venues to shut permanently.
TRIGGER WARNING: Please note this piece contains references to invasion of privacy and degrading treatment which some readers may find triggering. A 15-year-old Black schoolgirl, now known as Child Q, was removed by school staff from an exam she was sitting and then strip-searched by two police officers on suspicion of possessing marijuana.
Yesterday, Wales saw an "historic" ruling come into force which outlaws corporal punishment, including smacking, slapping or shaking a child. Under the new law, an adult may now face criminal charges if they are found to have used physical punishment against a child, strengthening protections under the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC).
A right to internet access might sound trivial to some, but for many people access to the internet continues to provide a lifeline. Even after national Covid-19 restrictions have been lifted, many people remain dependant on the internet as a means of accessing medication, food, an education and a source of income.
Every five years the UK undergoes a 'human rights health check', during which other members of the United Nations Human Rights Council review the UK's commitment to upholding our rights. This year, it will take place following the government's consultation on its plans to overhaul the Human Rights Act (HRA).
She has acted for bereaved families seeking answers after loved ones died in state care. She has represented survivors of rape, domestic violence and trafficking who were failed by the police. She has brought claims on behalf of prisoners and immigration detainees who had been mistreated in custody and has challenged attempts to curb access to justice.
If your human rights were under threat, could you call on international law to defend them in a UK court? We speak to Professor Aoife Nolan, an expert on international law, to answer the question: are you protected by international law in UK courts?
On 28 February 2022, advocacy group Liberty wrote to Dominic Raab, the Secretary of State for Justice, to call for the government to extend its consultation on proposed reforms to the Human Rights Act (HRA) because it had failed to provide information in an accessible way to the public.
Corporal punishment includes violence against children through any form of 'physical force' that is used to inflict pain. As well as causing harm and discomfort, the perpetration of any form of violence against children represents a violation of their rights. This includes infringement of a child's right to integrity of the person under the European Union Charter of Fundamental Rights.
Oxford University has announced a new professorship in the history of sexualities in memory of Jonathan Cooper OBE, who passed away suddenly in September 2021. The Professor of the History of Sexualities will expand the study and teaching of LGBTQ+ history at Oxford.
The 580-page report of the Independent Human Rights Act Review (IHRAR) provides the backdrop to a series of oral evidence sessions now being held by parliament's Joint Committee on Human Rights (JCHR). In that report, both security services and human rights charities have issued warnings to the government over proposed changes to the Human Rights Act.
Every year, for 24 hours, the Shetland town of Lerwick is ablaze as its people celebrate one of Scotland's most traditional and eye-catching festivals, Up Helly Aa. Now, a campaigner is calling on the local council to condemn a ban on women's involvement in the event, setting it a March deadline to do so.
Over half of the 3.7 million adults aged 60-65 in the UK have long-term health conditions. Under the proposals, two thirds of that age group will become ineligible for free prescriptions according to the Department of Health and Social Care's (DHSC) own analysis.
As Covid-19 restrictions change in the UK, so the approach to testing for the virus is set to change too, as Whitehall sources suggest the government will scrap free Lateral Flow Testing kits (LFTs) 'within weeks'. It is the latest in a long line of attempts to wind-down the response to Covid-19, as we 'learn to live with the virus'.
Support EachOther to bring you independent journalism, film-making and story-telling which put the human into human rights. Make a donation It is the first of a two-day judicial review hearing which will take place before two judges in the Divisional Court, which hears the most serious cases and appeals.
Every story that you have come to us with; each injustice you have asked us to investigate; every campaign we have fought; each of your unheard voices we amplified; we do this for you. We are making a difference on your behalf. .
Legal action is being taken against the government over another controversial PPE contract. At the heart of the case is a company that denies it had a Tory donor lobby for its multimillion PPE deal, despite him claiming he was a consultant for the firm.
The 'rough sex defence clause' - legally known as NC20 - is due for its second reading in the House of Lords. But some legal experts claim that it may not change trial verdicts. NC20 - "Consent to serious harm for sexual gratification not a defence" - is an amendment to the Domestic Abuse Bill that simply reinstates the law as it stands.
The UK government has allegedly set up an 'Orwellian' unit to blacklist journalists and act as a clearing house for freedom of information requests. A new investigation by Open Democracy reported that Michael Gove's office set up the specialised unit which also coaches departments on how to respond to freedom of information requests (FOIs) from journalists.
As part of our #FactOfTheMatter series, The Canary can show that the has appointed an all-white News Board. Director of news and current affairs Fran Unsworth appointed the new board as part of the BBCs plan to 'modernise' the organisation.
BBC Wales has confirmed that the anti-independence group Abolish The Welsh Assembly (AWA) will speak at the leaders' debate on 29 April 2021. The group has received backlash online after its members participated in a smear campaign against the Welsh Assembly.
New legislation has extended the time a defendant can be held in custody on remand to 238 days. But there are concerns this will lead to innocent people pleading guilty. The proposed changes by the Ministry of Justice (MOJ) were approved within 48 hours despite the MOJ admitting that there had been no consultation process or formal guidance.
Originally HMRC predicted that the cost of fraud and error to the CJRS would be between 1% to 2%. However, according to HMRC's planning assumption, the total cost could range from 5% to 10%. In real terms, that's between £2.0bn to £3.9bn.
The Canary's latest investigation into the bounce back loan scheme, as part of our #FollowTheMoney series, has found that its own administrators tried to stop its launch, the scheme's fraud threat to was deemed to be "very high" and fraudsters were able to make multiple applications.
A new dark web analysis has shown that almost the entire US Voter database was up for sale months before the US presidential election began. While it's not news that voting information has been sold on the dark web in the past, the analysis found that the database contained 186 million records.
Correction: This article was updated on 15 November at 14.36 to clarify the fact that asset freezing implemented by the UK was done in line with EU legislation. The UK must uphold EU sanctions as a current member state.
The Canary's latest investigation into the Syrian government, as part of our#FollowTheMoney series, has found that the over half of its newly appointed ministers have had their assets frozen by the EU.
Human rights centre Viasna has stated that its staff were detained unlawfully for a second time by Belarus authorities. The centre, which is responsible for monitoring elections and protests, claims that its staff were first illegally detained in May and have now been detained again, with some remaining in custody.
The Good Law Project is pursuing seven cases against various government departments. As part of our #FollowTheMoney series, The Canary can confirm that permission has been granted by the High Court to pursue a judicial review against the UK government over its allocation of coronavirus (Covid-19) contracts.
However, since the EHRC report was published, Jewish Labour Party members have come forwards to accuse Labour of 'weaponising fears'. A member of Jewish Voice for Labour, a left-wing group of Jewish Labour members, called the ban "grossly insulting": The latest edict from party HQ, suggesting that Jewish members require a wholesale ban on discussion of anything that touches on the treatment of Jeremy Corbyn in order to feel safe and welcome in the party, is grossly insulting and inflammatory.
As part of our #FactOfTheMatter series, The Canary has been tracking increasing rebellion within the Labour Party. We can confirm that Jewish Voice For Labour (JVL) has now launched its own legal proceedings into the suspension of CLP members and an alleged ban on discussing motions relating to antisemitism within the Labour Party.
As part of our #FactOfTheMatter series, The Canary explores whether emerging mutations of coronavirus (Covid-19) will lead to people in the UK needing to be re-vaccinated. With emerging strains being reported in South Africa and Brazil, the question for experts is will people need to be re-vaccinated because of coronavirus variants?
As part of the #OurLivesOurStories series, The Canary has spoken to the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission (NIHRC) after it launched legal proceedings against the devolved government over a failure to fund abortion services. Following pressure by the United Nations (UN) in 2019, the government in the north of Ireland decriminalised abortions.
As part of our #FactOfTheMatter series, The Canary Investigations team has spoken to three government departments in charge of the coronavirus (Covid-19) vaccine rollout. We wanted to find out how the vaccine was allocated in England - but no one could tell us who holds that information.
As part of our #FollowTheMoney series, we can reveal that £40m of the Culture Recovery Fund (CRF) was loaned to Historic Royal Palaces (HRP). The CRF is a coronavirus relief fund to help arts organisations and charities open and resume business as restrictions ease in the UK.
The fightback against Keir Starmer's leadership of the Labour Party has stepped up a gear with the revelation that Labour rebels have organised a network of "ghost parties" across the UK. Former members of Constituency Labour Parties (CLPs) have set up the groups to resist the purge of the left by the Labour leadership.
Explosive emails seen by The Canary prove that VIP lanes for PPE contracts existed throughout the coronavirus pandemic in 2020. The emails include references to personal connections between vendors and contractors for the Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC), as well as how contracts were awarded despite a lack of investigation into companies' services.
Documents seen by The Canary prove that the cabinet office refused to have up to 450 devices searched as part of a legal action case brought against them by the Good Law Project and EveryDoctor. A High Court judge has now ruled the government should carry out additional searches for texts and WhatsApp messages for 'selected individuals'.
Adalah - the Legal Center for Arab Minority Rights in Israel - has published documents that claim police officers were operating a torture room at Nazareth police station. The documents suggest that Nazareth police, special forces, and undercover 'mista'aravim' officers targeted, attacked, and detained Palestinian civilians.
EU governments and authorities were targeted by criminals looking to cash in on coronavirus (Covid-19) vaccines. Europol has called this "an emerging trend". It says there are several cases where criminals tried to broker contracts with EU government agencies to supply millions of doses of coronavirus vaccines.
Education secretary Gavin Williamson is facing legal action following a letter he sent to schools on 28 May about "antisemitic incidents". The grassroots human rights organisation CAGE launched legal action against Williamson in a pre action letter on the 2 August. The legal action covers several grounds, including discrimination against Muslim students and breaching the Education Act.
The latest in the #FollowTheMoney series has found that the Cabinet Office ignored a request by a member of the House of Lords to investigate a minister, a civil servant, and the chair of HS2 LTD over allegations they misled parliament and broke codes of civil service.
The future of a billion pound police database is under question. The National Law Enforcement Database Service (NLEDS), which the Home Office has spent half a decade developing, will be delayed by a further five years. Meanwhile, the estimated cost of the service, which is yet to be rolled out, stands at £1.1bn.