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What is the Equality and Human Rights Commission (ECHR)?
Often referred to as the UK human rights watchdog, it is an independent body with a unique set of legal powers to enforce equality laws, eliminate discrimination, reduce inequality and protect human rights.
It was established in 2007 by a Labor government following the merger of the Commission for Racial Equality, the Commission on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the Equal Opportunities Commission.
Was the investigation into the flaws about anti-Semitism in the Labor Party unusual?
Yes. The EHRC has never before embarked on a legal investigation into a major political party. Labor is only the second political party to investigate: In 2009, the EHRC launched legal action against the British National Party over concerns about ethnic restrictions on membership.
What were the terms of the investigation on labor and anti-Semitism?
After receiving hundreds of complaints from members of the Jewish party alleging anti-Semitism or failing to investigate allegations of anti-Semitism, the EHRC launched an investigation in May 2019.
Its aim was to establish whether the Labor Party had broken the law by failing to implement the recommendations of Lady Royall, the Select Committee on Home Affairs and the Chakrabarti report to stop anti-Semitism in the party; whether the party’s regulations and investigative and disciplinary processes allowed it to deal with complaints; and whether the party had responded adequately to the allegations of wrongdoing.
How did the EHRC conduct the investigation?
He received evidence from the Jewish Labor Movement, the Campaign Against Anti-Semitism, The Jewish Voice for Workers and whistleblowers. EHRC researchers analyzed a sample of 70 complaints of anti-Semitism filed against members of the Labor Party, including 12 complaints filed by the Labor Party.
Most of the sample of complaints was related to behavior on social networks, reflecting the prevalence of this type of complaint in general. However, it also included conduct at meetings and events and comments made to the media.
What did concludes?
The EHRC determined that Labor was responsible for three violations of the Equality Act (2010) related to political interference in complaints of anti-Semitism; the lack of adequate training for those handling anti-Semitism complaints; and harassment.
The failure related to political interference “came primarily from the opposition office,” the EHRC found, and this “was not a legitimate approach.” The interference was applied to one third of the 70 files reviewed.
What What is the reputation of the EHRC?
The EHRC has been plagued by problems including internal disputes and lack of funds. Since David Cameron came to power in 2010, his budget has been reduced from 63 million pounds to less than 17.4 million pounds. Equality activists have often described it as a “politically correct” liberal institute by those on the right.
He was recently criticized by Britain’s Muslim Council for failing to launch an investigation into allegations of Islamophobia in the Conservative party.
A report last year by the Committee for Women and Equality of the Commons called on the ECHR to “overcome its shyness” and “reorient its work.”
What happens next
The Labor Party received a notice of illegal act. You have until December 10 to draft an action plan to implement the recommendations, which is legally enforceable by a court if it is not followed.
