News

Ukraine Urged to Strengthen Equality Rights

London, 9 June 2014

On 23 May 2014, following the conclusion of its 52nd session, the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (the Committee) published its concluding observations on the implementation of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) by Ukraine. In its comments on Ukraine’s anti-discrimination record, the Committee echoed a number of the recommendations made in an ERT shadow report which focused on the need for Ukraine to reform its anti-discrimination legislation and take steps to combat discrimination against persons on the basis of their sexual orientation or gender identity.

Abduction of Nigerian Schoolgirls Prompts Further Attempt at Legal Reform of US Foreign Aid Policy

London, 22 May 2014

On 8 May, in the wake of the abduction of more than two hundred schoolgirls in Nigeria, a bi-partisan group of Senators reintroduced the International Violence Against Women Act (I-VAWA), which has been rejected twice before, to the US Senate. 

Georgia Significantly Expands its Legal Protection from Discrimination

London, 19 May 2014

On 7 May, the Law of Georgia on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination came into force after being signed by Georgia’s President Margvelashvili.  The enactment of the Law is to be strongly welcomed as it moves Georgia’s anti-discrimination framework closer towards the standards required by international law. There is some room for improvement in the final text.

US Supreme Court Allows Majority Rule to Deny a Fundamental Right

London, 9 May 2014

On 22 April 2014, the US Supreme Court in Schuette, Attorney General of Michigan v Coalition to Defend Affirmative Action, Integration and Immigration Rights and Fight for Equality by Any Means Necessary (Bamn) et al, held that an amendment to the Michigan State Constitution which prohibited affirmative action policies that favour people from a minority background was constitutional. The Court, by a six to two majority, held that state voters could choose to prohibit the consideration of race in university admissions policies, amongst other things, without contravening the Equal Protection Clause of the Constitution.

Does Affirmative Action Create Unfair Advantage?

London, 24 April 2014

The Equal Rights Trust (ERT) and University College London Human Rights Institute (UCL HRI) cordially invite you to a panel discussion entitled “Does Affirmative Action Create Unfair Advantage?” on Thursday 19 June 2014.

Time: 18.00 to 19.30 followed by a reception.

Place: Faculty of Laws, UCL, Endsleigh Gardens, London.

Indian Supreme Court Recognises Right to Self-Identify as Third Gender

London, 23 April 2014

On 15 April 2014, in a judgment which has been widely praised by equal rights activists around the world, the Supreme Court of India held that recognising only two gender identities (male and female) violated constitutional rights. In National Legal Services Authority v Union of India and others, the Court found that the right to self-identify one's gender, including as “third gender”, was an important part of the constitutional right to live with dignity. Further, the state was required to take affirmative action measures in order to achieve equality for transgender people. The decision – its tone and approach in stark contrast to the Court's recent regressive decision in Suresh Kumar Koushal and another v NAZ Foundation and others – should offer inspiration to courts in the many countries which continue to recognise only a gender binary.

New Issue of The Equal Rights Review Published by ERT

London, 31 March 2014

New Recommendation on the Rights of Older People Provides Important Guidance to Council of Europe Member States

London, 6 March 2014

On 19 February 2014 the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe adopted Recommendation Cm/Rec(2014)2 with the purpose to promote, protect and ensure the full and equal enjoyment of all human rights and fundamental freedoms by older persons without any discrimination.

For Fifth Time, ERT Urges Ugandan President not to Sign Anti-Homosexuality Bill

London, 17 February 2014

The Equal Rights Trust (ERT) has today repeated, for the fifth time, its call to the President of Uganda, Yoweri Museveni, not to sign the Anti-Homosexuality Bill (the Bill) into law. On Friday 14 February, the President announced that he would sign the Bill, which makes same-sex sexual conduct punishable by up to fourteen years’ imprisonment and creates a number of new offences.

ERT Publishes Report on the Human Rights of the Stateless Rohingya in Thailand

London, 6 February 2014

Today, at a launch event in Bangkok, Thailand, The Equal Rights Trust, in partnership with the Institute for Human Rights and Peace Studies at Mahidol University (IHRP), published its new report The Human Rights of Stateless Rohingya in Thailand. The report is part of a series developed by ERT which aims to document the situation of the Rohingya – one of the world’s most persecuted minority groups – both in their homeland, Myanmar, and in a number of other countries where they have fled seeking refuge: Bangladesh, Indonesia, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia and Thailand.

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