‘Human Rights City’ status to be a ‘positive vision’ for York
A DECISION to declare York as the UK’s first Human Rights City has been heralded for creating a “positive vision” to counter injustice and inequality plaguing the world.
When the declaration is made later this month, York will join more than 30 Human Rights Cities around the world, including Graz and Vienna in Austria, Seattle in the US and Edmonton in Canada.
The status means that the city makes an explicit declaration that it will refer to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in its everyday activities. As part of the move, a number of organisations in the public and voluntary sector, including York Council and North Yorkshire Police, have pledged to put human rights at the heart of policies and plans for the future.
The event has been organised by the York Human Rights City Network (YHRCN), a partnership between the University of York’s Centre for Applied Human Rights and a number of other organisations in the city.
It was launched in 2011 with the aim of declaring York a Human Rights City this year. It has since expanded to include the council and police.
Liberty director Martha Spurrier said: “In uncertain and divisive times like these, it’s our shared values of compassion, dignity, fairness, justice and equality that bind us together and make our communities stronger. Human rights begin at home - and it’s more important than ever that we celebrate and protect them.
“York has created a powerful, positive vision for the kind of city it wants to be - one where all residents know their rights, and where those rights are respected. Hopefully other cities - and our leaders in Westminster - will follow its lead.”
The campaign to establish York as the UK’s first Human Rights City was initiated by Professor Paul Gready, who is the Director of the Centre for Applied Human Rights at the University of York.
Prof Gready said: “We live in uncertain and challenging times. International and national frameworks protecting human rights are under threat. Sadly, the UK is no exception to this trend. Those of us who are committed to human rights need to think creatively and act decisively.”
The declaration will be made by the Lord Mayor of York, Coun Dave Taylor, at the Merchant Taylors’ Hall on Monday next week. He will be joined by dignitaries including York Central MP Rachael Maskell and Coun Thomas Rajakovics, of Graz, in Austria.
Frameworks protecting human rights are under threat. Professor Paul Gready, of the University of York