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Government, citizens and rights
Diversity and discrimination
If you think you have been treated unfairly or have been discriminated against because of your age, gender, race, religious beliefs or disability, there's a wide range of legislation, information and contacts to help you understand and enforce your rights.
Commission for Equality and Human Rights
The Commission for Equality and Human Rights (CEHR), brings together expertise and resources to promote human rights, and tackle discrimination in relation to:
- gender
- gender reassignment
- disability
- sexual orientation
- religion or belief
- age
- race
The CEHR has taken on the work of:
- the Commission for Racial Equality (CRE)
- the Disability Rights Commission (DRC)
- the Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC
These organisations ceased to exist in 2007.
The Commission covers England, Scotland and Wales. In Scotland and Wales there will be statutory committees responsible for the work of the CEHR.
Where to get advice
You can get in touch with the Equality and Human Rights Commission and Community Legal Advice has produced a leaflet providing detailed guidance of your rights, and under which legislation you can challenge discrimination.
Gender Equality Duty
The Gender Equality Duty came into force in April 2007. All public authorities must demonstrate that they are promoting equality for women and men, and eliminating sexual discrimination and harassment. The legal responsibility means public authorities need to demonstrate that they treat men and women fairly.
The duty affects policy making, public services, such as transport, and employment practices such as recruitment and flexible working.
Gender recognition
The Gender Recognition Act 2004 came into effect in April 2005. It gives transsexual people legal recognition in their acquired gender, subject to their successful application to the Gender Recognition Panel.
Transsexual people will be able to marry in their acquired gender when the change of gender is legally recognised.
The Gender Recognition Panel has a website containing information and advice for transsexual people who wish to apply for gender recognition.
Race equality
The Race Relations Act 1976 (as amended by the Race Relations Amendment Act 2000) protects individuals from racial discrimination and harassment and creates a right to challenge discrimination in the courts or at an employment tribunal.
The Act also makes racial discrimination by public bodies and organisations illegal and requires them to have policies to promote racial equality.
Disability rights
The 'Disabled people' section of Directgov provides information on rights under the Disability Discrimination Act, definitions of 'disability' and on general rights of access to goods and services.
Age rights and discrimination
Information about age discrimination legislation is contained in the Employee section of Directgov and the over 50s section.
From October 2006, there is legal protection against age discrimination. It is no longer lawful to discriminate on grounds of age. Treating staff fairly and recognising individuals' talents and needs is not just the right thing to do, but makes good business sense as well.
Discrimination at work
Find out about your rights to be treated fairly at work in the employees section of Directgov. There is information on what discrimination means due to age, sex, race, disability, religion or belief and sexual orientation, as well as what can be done about it.
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