Labour pledge to enshrine human rights into Welsh law delayed

Published

1 year ago

September 17, 2024

PLANS to enshrine international human rights treaties into Welsh law will no longer be brought forward by 2026 despite a manifesto commitment, a committee heard.

Labour’s 2021 Senedd manifesto pledged to incorporate United Nations conventions on rights of disabled people and the elimination of discrimination against women.

But the Senedd’s equality and social justice committee was told the Welsh Government will not introduce legislation on the UN treaties before the election in May 2026.

Simon Hoffman, a professor in law at Swansea University who specialises in human rights, led 2021 research on advancing equality and human rights in Wales.

In his written evidence to the inquiry, Prof Hoffman said preparatory work will not be complete in time for legislation to be brought forward during the current Senedd term.

He told the meeting: “I don’t think we can achieve what was in the recommendation…. I think the best we can think about is possibly a green paper and a timeline.”

Witnesses warned a lack of time and money has harmed efforts to incorporate UN treaties.

Charles Whitmore, a research associate at Cardiff University’s Wales Governance Centre, chairs a working group that is exploring the legislative options.

He told the committee: “We do not have any financial resource so far made available to pay for time to do the work, so invariably it proceeds at a pace that matches voluntary capacity.”

Cautioning that incorporation could be “quite far away”, Mr Whitmore said: “I don’t know if we’re at the stage of being able to put a timeframe against this yet.”

Jenny Rathbone, who chairs the equality committee, raised concern about delays, criticising the previous UK Government’s “schizophrenic attitude” towards human rights.

“Time marches on and we’re only 18 months away from wrapping up this term,” she said.

Her Labour colleague Julie Morgan questioned whether there has been a shift in view from Welsh ministers, asking witnesses if incorporation still holds value.

Sioned Williams, Plaid Cymru’s shadow social justice secretary, similarly asked whether there has been any cooling of enthusiasm towards enshrining rights.

And Joel James, her Conservative counterpart, contrasted “warm words” from ministers with an “implementation gap” on the ground.

Mr Whitmore agreed about the need to protect against “regression” in human rights at a UK level, saying the “alarming” pace of legislation drained capacity and hampered work.

Prof Hoffman, who is secretary of the Senedd’s cross-party group on human rights, said incorporation should remain firmly on the agenda.

“Legal recognition of rights is a significant step,” he told committee members.

Prof Hoffman said incorporation of rights would raise awareness, signal importance, influence policy development and provide for accountability.

He added: “One of the things that incorporation does is it makes human rights enduring … it makes human rights sticky … and I think that is particularly important.”

Prof Hoffman pointed out that Wales’ 2011 Rights of Children and Young Persons Measure places a duty on ministers to have “due regard” to the UN convention on children’s rights.

The expert cautioned that spreading resources too thinly could force a binary choice.

He said: “I think it’s crucially important that we continue on the route towards incorporation while also looking at other ways of doing human rights in practice.”

Prof Hoffman suggested the UK Government’s decision to challenge Scotland’s children’s rights legislation in the Supreme Court has had a chilling effect on work in Wales.

Meanwhile, Mr Whitmore cautioned that the sector is under considerable pressure as he raised the example of the ripple effect caused by the closure of the Chwarae Teg charity.

Sarah Nason, a senior lecturer in administrative law at Bangor University, said public bodies are already subject to many duties and any new ones need to be aligned.

“It’s a question of the duties being clear and consistent,” she said.

Calling for reforms to improve access to justice, Dr Nason raised concerns about cuts to legal aid creating “advice deserts” across the country.

She told the meeting on September 16 that Wales sees “very few” judicial review claims per head of population compared with parts of England and other devolved nations.

The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) painted a mixed picture in its 2023 ‘state of the nation’ report, entitled Is Wales Fairer?.

Warning poverty remains a persistent problem in Wales, the EHRC raised concerns about one-in-four children living in relative income poverty.

The commission also found educational attainment for disabled children in Wales is falling behind other parts of the UK as is the attainment gap for those eligible for free school meals.

And, according to the report, the number of racially and religiously aggravated offences rose 72% from 2017 to 2022 while the number of offences resulting in a charge fell.

Making a total of 19 recommendations to the Welsh Government and other public bodies, the commission called for action to tackle gaps in data and evidence.

But the EHRC welcomed ministers’ commitments and highlighted progress on diversity in public appointments as well as a narrowing of gender pay and disability employment gaps.

Murals legacy honoured at Town Hall

Published

3 hours ago

February 4, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Artist Jeanne Lewis recognised as Pembroke celebrates 20 years of historic artwork

MRS JEANNE LEWIS and her daughter were guests of honour at a special presentation at Pembroke Town Hall on Tuesday to mark the 20th anniversary of the historic murals installed inside the building.

Two handcrafted benches, gifted by Pembroke Town Council, were presented in appreciation of the artwork created by Jeanne and her late husband, George Lewis, whose striking panels have become a defining feature of the Hall over the past two decades.

The murals, which vividly depict scenes from Pembroke’s past, have long drawn praise from residents and visitors alike for their scale, colour and intricate storytelling.

The Mayor of Pembroke, Gareth Jones, joined councillors and volunteers from Pembroke Museum to present Mrs Lewis with a Certificate of Appreciation and a bouquet of flowers in recognition of the couple’s lasting artistic legacy.

Councillor Jones said the town was “extremely fortunate and deeply privileged” to house the collection.

He added: “People often walk into the Town Hall and simply stop to look. The detail and the history captured in these murals are remarkable. They give visitors a real sense of Pembroke’s story and reflect the dedication and talent Jeanne and George brought to the project.”

Twenty years on, the artwork continues to enrich the civic building, ensuring the Lewis family’s contribution remains at the heart of the town’s heritage.

Photo caption: Jeanne Lewis receives a certificate from Mayor Gareth Jones at Pembroke Town Hall, marking 20 years since the installation of the town’s historic murals (Pic: Martin Cavaney/Herald).

Community

Celebrating nature recovery through Cysylltu Natur 25×25

Published

9 hours ago

February 4, 2026

Richard Lewis

A CELEBRATION event was held on Saturday, January 24 in Cwm Gwaun to mark the achievements of Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority’s Cysylltu Natur 25×25 project, bringing together volunteers, farmers and staff involved in delivering nature restoration across North Pembrokeshire.

The landscape-scale project was funded by the Welsh Government through the Nature Networks Programme, delivered by the Heritage Fund. The Programme aims to strengthen ecological connectivity and resilience by restoring habitats at scale.

Those attending the event heard about the wide range of conservation activity delivered through the project across the north of the National Park. This has included practical works to restore grazing to Rhos pasture to benefit marsh fritillary butterflies and southern damselflies, specialist work to conserve rare lichens, volunteer chough, dormouse and harvest mouse monitoring, safeguarding greater horseshoe bat hibernation sites, and targeted action to tackle invasive species threatening important sites.

Volunteers, farmers, land managers and contractors played a vital role in the success of the project, contributing local knowledge, practical skills and ongoing commitment to caring for Pembrokeshire’s unique landscapes and wildlife in the long term.

Mary Chadwick, Conservation Officer for Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority, said: “Cysylltu Natur 25×25 has shown what can be achieved when farmers, volunteers and conservation specialists work together with a shared aim.

“From monitoring some of our most elusive species to restoring and protecting habitats, the dedication of everyone involved has made a real difference for nature across the National Park.”

Although the Cysylltu Natur 25×25 project is now coming to an end, the important work it has supported will continue. Building on its successes, Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority will carry this momentum forward through the next phase of nature recovery work under NNF4 Cysylltiadau Naturiol / Naturally Connected, ensuring ongoing protection and enhancement of habitats for future generations.

Community

Princess of Wales praised for ‘skill’ during local wool mill and factory visit

Published

21 hours ago

February 3, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Royal tour shines spotlight on west Wales textile heritage and local jobs

CATHERINE, Princess of Wales was told “she’s got the skill” after trying her hand at traditional textile work during a visit to west Wales on Tuesday (Feb 3).

The royal spent the day meeting staff and apprentices at two well-known manufacturers – Melin Tregwynt in Pembrokeshire and Hiut Denim in Cardigan – highlighting the region’s long-standing reputation for craftsmanship and small-scale, high-quality production.

Stitching and mending at historic mill

At Melin Tregwynt, a family-run woollen mill that now operates as an employee-owned trust, the princess was guided through each stage of production, from weaving to finishing.

In the quality control room she was invited to mend a blanket using a needle and thread, carefully repairing the fabric under the watchful eye of experienced staff.

Paula Harding, who has worked at the mill for more than a decade, praised her technique, saying: “She did it right – and she didn’t go through the other side. That’s skill. She’s got the skill.”

Laughing, the princess told workers: “You make it look so easy,” adding that the craft was clearly “a labour of love”.

She asked questions about the history of the business, which has produced Welsh-designed blankets and throws for more than a century, and spoke with several generations of the same families who have worked at the mill.

‘Made in Wales’ denim

Later, the princess travelled to Hiut Denim, the Cardigan-based firm credited with bringing jeans manufacturing back to the town after large factories closed in the early 2000s.

The company now focuses on small-batch, premium denim and employs skilled cutters and machinists locally.

During a tour of the factory floor, the princess tried cutting out a pair of jeans and helped stitch a “Made in Wales” label onto a finished pair that staff said would be presented to the Prince of Wales.

“He will love those,” she replied.

She joked that there was “no pressure” when handed the cutting tools and said she enjoys making clothes herself, admitting the most adventurous project she had attempted was sewing a pair of pyjamas.

The royal also stopped to greet Barney, the factory’s English cocker spaniel, drawing smiles from staff.

Meeting well-wishers

Crowds gathered outside both sites to catch a glimpse of the visitor, with the princess spending time chatting with families and children before moving on.

The visit forms part of ongoing efforts by the royal household to showcase traditional industries and skilled manufacturing across the UK, with west Wales’ textile sector recognised as a key part of the region’s heritage and economy.

For workers at both businesses, the message was simple: the spotlight on locally made products and homegrown skills was just as important as the royal presence itself.