York Human Rights City Network Annual Indicator Report Meeting

On Wednesday 14th December the York Human Rights City Network will present provisional findings for the sixth annual human rights indicator report at an online public event, running from 6 until 8pm. Tickets are available on Eventbrite. Details are below:

2022 has been marked by a deepening cost-of-living crisis and a series of bleak economic forecasts which predict that the city, and the UK as a whole, will experience a prolonged period of recession.

In such an atmosphere, some will suggest that the protection of human rights should be subordinated to fiscal and monetary policy, and that the erosion of certain rights is an inevitable outcome of economic instability. In opposition to this, we argue that in periods of economic uncertainty the protection of human rights becomes more important than ever. As rising costs and cuts to public services push greater numbers of people towards poverty, the human rights framework becomes an invaluable tool in efforts to protect those living in vulnerable situations.

At the launch we will present for discussion the provisional findings for our 2022 report, focusing on our five priority rights (equality and non-discrimination, education, decent standard of living, housing, health and social care). In addition to the cost-of-living crisis, the report will also cover ongoing efforts to contest the Blue Badge exclusion from the city centre, policies around refugee reception in the city, and more. We hope that event will add to the discussion of how the city can use a human rights framework in order to protect its citizens during the economic crisis.  We hope you can join us!