Human rights regulator retains ‘A status’

Baroness Kishwer Falkner, Chairwoman of the Equality and Human Rights Commission, said:

"We welcome the decision that the EHRC should retain its accreditation as an 'A status' National Human Rights Institution.

"We always believed there were inaccuracies in the submissions made against us. We are pleased that, following a full assessment of all the evidence, the accreditation committee agree that we continue to meet the highest standards.

"As Chairwoman of the EHRC, I am confident that we demonstrate those standards every day, in everything we do.

"I can reassure all those we work with, and the British public we serve, that we take great pride in our independence from government. But it is important too, to maintain our independence from activist organisations wishing to unduly influence our legal opinions and policy. We routinely demonstrate our impartiality through our willingness to challenge both robustly.

"We also take seriously our obligation to protect and promote equality and human rights for everyone. That includes considering, carefully and impartially and on the basis of evidence, how the rights of one person, or group, might be affected by the rights of another.

"The role of the referee is not always appreciated, but as the human rights regulator for England and Wales, it is one we accept with steely determination.

"We may be challenged along the way, but the EHRC will strike the right balance when upholding everyone's rights. We look forward to continuing to work with all those who help us deliver this duty."