WATCH NOW: Graham Linehan claims: ‘I think there should be criminal investigations into Stonewall'
By Jack Walters
Published: 13/05/2024
Stonewall’s complaint prompted a 'spectial review' of the ECHR’s status by the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions
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The United Nations has thrown out a complaint filed against the Equality & Human Rights Commission after it was decribed as “trans hostile” and “not fit for purpose”.
Stonewall and other LGBT+ organisations made a formal complaint last year after criticising the EHRC’s decision to back new legal protections for biological women.
Britain’s human rights watchdog labelled trans rights campaigners as “activists” and accused them of trying to “unduly influence” its legal independence.
Despite the legal challenge, the UN concluded the EHRC fulfilled its obligations and was independent.
The EHRC had come under pressure after supporting plans put forward by Equalities Minister Kemi Badenoch to introduce legal protections for biological women.
Rishi Sunak’s Government is now considering altering the Equalities Act to create a formal legal distinction between people who were born women and those who have changed their gender after transitioning.
The EHRC claimed such a move would bring “greater legal clarity”, including in the provision of single-sex services.
However, Stonewall’s complaint prompted a “spectial review” of the ECHR’s status by the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions.
The Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions is a UN-affiliated body which accredits human rights watchdogs.
The UN also concluded its review and confirmed the EHRC remained “full compliant” with its obligations, stressing it was operationally independent.
Baroness Falkner of Margravine, the chairwoman of the EHRC, said: “We always believed there were inaccuracies in the submissions made against us.
“I can reassure all those we work with, and the British public we serve, that we take great pride in our independence from government.
“But it is important too, to maintain our independence from activist organisations wishing to unduly influence our legal opinions and policy.
“We routinely demonstrate our impartiality through our willingness to challenge both robustly.
“We also take seriously our obligation to protect and promote equality and human rights for everyone.
“That includes considering, carefully and impartially and on the basis of evidence, how the rights of one person, or group, might be affected by the rights of another.
“The role of the referee is not always appreciated, but as the human rights regulator for England and Wales, it is one we accept with steely determination.”’
