The
Disability Rights Commission (DRC) closes
at the end of September 2007, to make way for the
new Commission for Equality and Human Rights
(CEHR), established under the Equality Act
2006, which opens on 1 October 2007
The
new Commission replaces not only the DRC
but also the Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC)
and the Commission for Racial Equality (CRE).
It will work to promote fairness for everyone and
tackle discrimination in relation to gender, gender
reassignment, disability, sexual orientation, religion,
belief, age and race. The Commission will also promote
human rights.
The
new Commission will be a Non-Departmental Public
Body (NDPB) and independent influential champion
whose purpose is to reduce inequality, eliminate
discrimination, strengthen good relations between
people and protect human rights.
The CEHR will take an active role in helping
to achieve change to benefit some of the most vulnerable
and least well represented people in our society.
The
CEHR will bring together the work of the
three existing Commissions, the Commission for Racial
Equality (CRE), Disability Rights Commission
(DRC) and Equal Opportunities Commission
(EOC) in this new body.
The
CEHR will take on all of the powers of the
existing Commissions as well as new powers to enforce
legislation more effectively and promote equality
for all. The Commission will champion the diverse
communities that make up modern Britain in their
struggle against discrimination.
It will also promote awareness and understanding
of human rights and encourage good practice by public
authorities in meeting their Human Rights Act obligations.
New powers to take human rights cases will give
a new arrow to the bow of many minorities who suffer
discrimination.
The Commission will cover England, Scotland and
Wales. In Scotland and Wales there will be statutory
committees responsible for the work of the CEHR.
A
single commission will have many benefits, including:
