Baroness Faulkner has been cleared of all charges. Photo: Jamie Lorriman
Charges of intimidation against the head of an equality watchdog are being used to justify a potential UN blacklist, despite her being cleared of all charges, The Telegraph reports.
The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) is facing a “special review” of its international accreditation, partly due to allegations against its head, Baroness Faulkner of Margravine, which have been condemned as a “witch hunt”. from trans activists.
The decision to launch an investigation was made at a hearing of the committee of the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (Ganhri), which ended three days after the ECHR chair was publicly cleared of any wrongdoing following an inquiry. conducted by an external CS.
Lord Shinkwin, a disability rights campaigner who was one of more than 50 colleagues to write to Ofcom in defense of Lady Faulkner, said: “The fact that they are using charges of disorderly conduct highlights the absurdity of the situation, they are grasping at straws that are already broke up a long time ago. The organization has no credibility.”
Any decision to strip the EHRC of its so-called “A status” would result in the UK losing its seat at the table of the UN Human Rights Council and a number of UN bodies.
Decisions made after months of lobbying
In publishing the arguments for the special review for the first time, Gunry acknowledged that they reached their decisions after months of lobbying by transgender rights groups.
Stonewall is leading a coalition of trans lobby groups, including Mermaids, for the third time and the Good Law Project, questioning the EHRC's international accreditation after their first two attempts were rejected.
In a response letter to Gunry, Lady Faulkner said the ECHR «strongly refutes» the claim that they are «colluding» with the UK Conservative government to reduce human rights protections for transgender people» or the suggestion that they are not engaging with trans lobby groups.
She wrote: “We have a statutory duty to protect and promote equality and human rights for everyone. This includes careful, impartial and evidence-based consideration of how the rights of one person or group may be affected by the rights of another.
“We do not allow our decisions and actions to be influenced by the loudest voices in any debate.»
Victor Madrigal-Borloz, independent expert on protection from violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity Photo: UN Photo /Mark Garten
The allegations that led to the special review, first reported by The Telegraph, include: The ECtHR «does not demonstrate independence from the government in relation to positions taken in relation to LGBTQI people.» problems» and not engaging enough with trans lobby groups, Ghanhri said.
Replace the word «sex» with «biological sex»
The accreditation report sub-committee also criticized the fact that Baroness Faulkner had written to Equalities Minister Kemi Badenoch saying changing the word «sex» to «biological sex» in the Equality Act would help clarify controversial issues such as sporting categories and women. -short lists only.
He noted the “concerns” of Victor Madrigal-Borloz, the UN independent expert on gender identity, who said that the ECHR’s protection of biological sex was “completely unbecoming of an institution created to “stand up for those in need of protection and hold governments to account.” accountable for its human rights obligations.”
Mr Madrigal-Borlos used the same report to suggest that asking «what is a woman» could be construed as hate speech.
Lady Faulkner noted that her letter asking the Government for further consultation , has been welcomed by a large number of organizations and politicians of all parties.
“Protect and promote equality”
She added: “Neither I, nor any other Commissioner, nor the Commission itself views transgender people or their rights in a negative way. Our job is to protect and promote equality and human rights for everyone in Britain, including transgender people.»
Rationale for the special review Gunry continued: «Additional publicly available information relates to internal disputes within the ECHR, reports of an alleged 'toxic culture' » within the organization, allegations of intimidation and harassment, and significant resignations, including of senior staff.
“Public information raises concerns about the ability of the ECHR to carry out its mandate in an independent and effective manner.”
The meeting at which the decision was made to conduct the special review was held over two sessions. the first is September 25–29, and the second is in Geneva October 23–27. The report, which is also published by the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, was completed on November 29.
This comes more than a month after the ECHR and Baroness Faulker issued a statement on 24 October announcing that the investigation into the “unsubstantiated” allegations had been closed.
“Harmful and unsubstantiated allegations”
Four days earlier, the ECHR also announced that the «harmful and unfounded claims» brought against them in the employment tribunal had been unconditionally withdrawn.
A special viewing will take place in the New Year. Burundi's human rights organization, which has been accused of failing to act on forced disappearances, arbitrary arrests and secret service torture of political opponents, journalists and activists, is the only organization facing such scrutiny.
Countries that were previously stripped of A status, including Afghanistan and the Russian Federation.
Lord Shinkwin said: “Ganhry has given A status to Haiti, where people know they can be shot by hit squads, and to Zimbabwe, Egypt, Qatar and Iraq , which is absurd. There is no real trust in this organization.”
A fellow Conservative said the fact that Stonewall relied on an organization that gave A status to «anti-LGBT states» to put the ECHR «in the dock» makes the once great charity a «laughing stock».
He added: “This is a very unnecessary distraction from the work that the ECHR and Lady Faulkner desperately want to continue, including protecting and advocating for the rights of disabled people.”
Hanry did not respond to a message seeking comment.
A spokesperson for the Equality and Human Rights Commission said: “We take seriously our duty to protect and promote equality and human rights for everyone. This includes careful, impartial and evidence-based consideration of how the rights of one person or group may be affected by the rights of another.
“We are very confident that we can respond strongly. to any questions the Committee may have in March. In the meantime, we remain focused on continuing to fulfill our role as an A-status national human rights institution.
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