Press Release
British Humanist Association welcomes Equality Bill White Paper
26 June 2008
The British Humanist Association (BHA) has welcomed moves towards greater equality as set out in the Government’s Equality Bill White Paper but urges caution against the potential for unintended consequences, in particular that legislation does not result in increased discrimination against individuals.
Hanne Stinson, BHA Chief Executive, said, ‘Humanists are committed to the full implementation of human rights and equality for all and we look forward to working with the Government in the coming months to ensure that the Bill achieves this in practice.’
Ms Stinson continued, ‘We welcome the White Paper which aims to extend and promote equality between different people. However, we must be very careful that some proposals, such as extending positive action in employment and the proposed additional public duty in relation to religion or belief, do not inadvertently increase discrimination against individuals based on actual or perceived affiliation to a group.’
‘We hope that the new law will also address existing problems of discrimination by religious organisations. Existing UK equality law gives religious groups power to discriminate against those who do not share their beliefs in both employment and service provision – even when they are receiving public funding – and this is one inequality that we look to the Government to address.’
Amongst other proposals outlined in the White Paper, the BHA particularly welcomes the inclusion of a commitment to end the pay gap; allowing employment tribunals to make wider recommendations in discrimination cases; the commitment to allow discrimination cases to be brought on combined multiple grounds, and the commitment to consider representative actions. We also warmly welcome the ban on age discrimination in the provision of goods, facilities and services, but deeply regret the exclusion of young people under the age of 18 from this protection.
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