Commission for Equality and Human Rights : The Government's White Paper - 16th Report

This report responds to the white paper "Fairness for all: a new Commission for Equality and Human Rights" (Cm. 6185, ISBN 0101618522, issued 12 May 2004), which proposed a new single body with responsibility for promoting equality throughout society, building on the strengths of existing Commissions (the Commission for Racial Equality, the Disability Rights Commission and the Equal Opportunities Commission).

There is broad agreement between the white paper's proposals and the Committee's own proposals (11th report, HLP 78 / HCP 536 session 2003-04, ISBN 010400452, issued 5 May 2004).

The areas of divergence Include the following: the precise nature of the general duty to be placed upon the CEHR in relation to the promotion and protection of human rights; the details of the power of the CEHR to conduct "general inquiries"; the case for giving the Commission power to seek judicial review of the policies, actions and omissions of public authorities; the institutional and funding arrangements to secure the independence and accountability of the new body