III. Legal framework, mechanisms, policies and practices

B. National level

16. According to the Government, the Equality Act (2010) simplifies and harmonizes legislation by replacing previous anti-discrimination laws on race, sex, sexual orientation, religion or belief, age and disability. It covers direct and indirect discrimination, harassment, victimization and failure to make reasonable adjustments for persons with disabilities. The Act provides for equal opportunities in the workplace and in the wider society, prohibiting unfair treatment in the workplace, in the provision of goods, facilities and services, when exercising public functions, in the disposal and management of premises, in education and in associations.

VI. Conclusions and recommendations

84. Diversity is valued in the British model of society. The United Kingdom has an impressive legislative framework and has invested considerable resources in antidiscrimination initiatives, including the positive obligations on public authorities to promote equality of opportunity on grounds of age, disability, gender reassignment, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation; the Equality Act 2010 and the establishment of the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC), an independent body with powers to take legal proceedings or other enforcement action. Despite all these achievements, people of African descent consulted believe that the Government has not adequately implemented the impressive legislative and policy framework that exists, and has failed in several aspects to respond adequately to their problems or to devise meaningful and enforceable solutions, leaving them and their communities in a neglected situation.

Link to full text of the report: Report-WGAfricanDescent-UK-2013-eng

 

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