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:
