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Rights in Focus

Text reads: Rights in Focus
Text reads: Rights in Focus

Sharper thinking for bold action

Bringing together expert insight, lived experience and analysis to shape human rights-solutions to key policy challenges.

Human rights essays

Human Rights Essays

Essays from leading experts explore themes ranging from mass atrocities around the world to unprecedented levels of homelessness in the UK. This thought-provoking collection is curated by Labour Campaign for Human Rights and Amnesty UK
Automated Racism

Predictive Policing from the Colonies to the Contemporary

Dr Adam Elliott-Cooper explains how modern policing has always been predictive.
Seductions of Tech

On the Seductions of Technology and the Racialised Harms of the Criminal Legal System of England and Wales

Across England and Wales, the increasing use of collective forms of punishment such as joint enterprise and conspiracy is a criminal legal system practice that disproportionately affects and harms Black and racially minoritised people. In Manchester, between 2009 and 2016, 54 young people were collectively punished to 749 years in prison for seven violent offences. Even more recently and documented by the Manchester based youth organisation Kids of Colour, since 2021, 29 young people, across six court cases have been collectively sentenced to 450 years in prison.
Policing exacerbates

A New Tactic of State Violence

Leah Cowan explains why policing exacerbates a crisis of harm
Our Rights in the UK

Listen to the Voices of Lived Experience by Tracey Herrington

Community worker Tracey Herrington explains why those with lived experience of disadvantage must take part in policy-making.

This essay is part of a collection of thought pieces curated by Labour Campaign for Human Rights and Amnesty International UK.
Our Rights in the UK

Human Rights in Schools by Kim Hurd

Teacher Kim Hurd says that human rights education teaches tolerance and respect and combats discrimination.

This essay is part of a collection of thought pieces curated by Labour Campaign for Human Rights and Amnesty International UK.
Our Rights in the UK

Bridging the Legislative Gap on Corporate Exploitation by Luise Schroter

Luise Schroter, policy and campaigns officer at Corporate Justice Coalition, calls for a new law to improve corporate accountability.

This essay is part of a collection of thought pieces curated by Labour Campaign for Human Rights and Amnesty International UK.
Our Rights in the UK

‘Bad’ Disruption: Rule Changes that Threaten the Right to Protest by David Mead

Human rights law professor David Mead argues that new legal restrictions on disruptive protest must be reversed.

This essay is part of a collection of thought pieces curated by Labour Campaign for Human Rights and Amnesty International UK.
Our Rights in the UK

Future Goals for a New Labour Government by Jamie Burton KC

Leading human rights barrister Jamie Burton KC argues that the new Labour government needs to embed social rights in the constitution
Action

Over 13,000 people took action, calling on the Prime Minister to prioritise human rights.

Many thanks to the tens of thousands of you who took action calling on the Prime Minister to prioritise human rights.
Our Rights in the UK

Does the Human Rights Act matter? By Craig Mathieson

Craig Mathieson’s Supreme Court test case successfully challenged the rules governing disability allowances. In this essay, he discusses the vital importance of the Human Rights Act.

This essay is part of a collection of thought pieces curated by Labour Campaign for Human Rights and Amnesty International UK.
Right To Housing

Gender-based Violence and Homelessness by Gabriela Quevedo

Gabriela Quevedo from Latin American Women’s Aid explains the challenges and opportunities for supporting Black and minoritised survivors of violence.

This essay is part of a collaboration of thought pieces by Amnesty International UK and Labour Campaign for Human Rights.

Developing A China Strategy by Benedict Rogers

Benedict Rogers is a human rights activist and writer, co-founder and chief executive of Hong Kong Watch and co-founder and deputy chair of the Conservative Party Human Rights Commission. He argues that the UK government needs a clear, consistent and coherent China strategy.

The Right To Protest - Beyond Just Stop Oil by Irina Von Wiese

Liberal Democrat Irina von Wiese, a lawyer and civil rights activist, says the new government must reverse the creeping erosion of human rights in recent legislation and restore the right to protest in the UK.

International Courts - A Force For Order And Justice by Lord Garnier

Lawyer and parliamentarian Lord Garnier traces the story of Europe’s Human Rights Convention and Court. He warns critics that moving away from it would create a massive headache for any UK prime minister – and leave us all worse off.

Women's Rights & Foreign Policy by Baroness Helic

Foreign policy should protect women’s rights as a core part of human rights and international law. This, says Conservative peer Baroness Helic, is part of the route to security and prosperity for Britain.
Our Rights In The UK

Out Of The Wilderness by Francesca Klug

Francesca Klug, visiting professor at LSE Human Rights, asks if we stand at a watershed moment for human rights in the UK.

This essay is part of a collaboration of thought pieces by Amnesty International UK and Labour Campaign for Human Rights.

Designing Out Homelessness by Sharon Thompson

Deputy Leader of Birmingham City Council and Deputy Mayor of West Midlands Combined Authority, Sharon Thompson tells the incoming government to ‘implement an effective housing strategy.

This essay is part of a collaboration of thought pieces by Amnesty International UK and Labour Campaign for Human Rights.

The Insecure World of the Gig Economy and Improving Workers’ Rights by Riz Hussain

TUC Anti–Racism Officer Riz Hussain explains the harsh and insecure world of the gig economy and suggests solutions to improve workers’ rights.

This essay is part of a collaboration of thought pieces by Amnesty International UK and Labour Campaign for Human Rights.