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About us
Who we are
BIHR is a UK-wide charity whose vision is of a strong and just society, in which all people can live well and flourish, safe in the knowledge that their human rights are respected, protected, and fulfilled in their local communities and nationally.
Our model of supporting positive change includes working with people to ensure they know their human rights, enabling both them and the groups that support them to ensure human rights are upheld. We also work with public bodies, who have legal duties to uphold people's human rights; when these duties are not met, people's human rights may be risked or breached.
Our work with public bodies shows us that staff want to achieve the best possible outcomes for the people they support, although they are often facing tough decisions, tight time and budgetary constraints, and a complex maze of laws and regulations. Our Human Rights Act provides a legal framework that requires public bodies to uphold people's human rights whenever possible. By equipping staff with the knowledge, confidence and legal framework they need to back up rights-respecting decisions, we can help give them the courage to balance risks with rights and achieve better outcomes for people accessing services.
We also work to amplify the voices of the people we work with through our policy work, ensuring the real stories of how our Human Rights Act is being used across the UK reach the people with the power to change laws and systems.
Our culture and values
BIHR is not a campaign group; we are a charity. This means that we must report to the Charity Commission and comply with Charity Law. This includes the requirements that we do not exist for a political purpose, that we are not partisan or party political, and that we only campaign insofar as it furthers our charitable objectives. Our charitable objectives are to promote human rights as set out in human rights laws, primarily the European Convention and the Human Rights Act within the UK. Our practical work is focused on the Human Rights Act in everyday life, outside the courtrooms. We do not offer legal advice, case work support or represent clients.
As a charity, BIHR is governed by a Board of Trustees, who delegate the running of BIHR to the CEO, Sanchita Hosali, who leads our staff team. We are a small, busy team, committed to the work we do, and to maintaining a positive and supportive team environment.
Equality, diversity and inclusion policy
BIHR exists to support people, community groups, and public bodies/services to make positive change through the practical use of human rights as set out in our Human Rights Act. Promoting equality and valuing diversity are fundamental to our mission, and we are committed to providing equal opportunities and to avoiding unlawful discrimination in our employment and services. We are also committed to ensuring that the work environment is free of harassment and bullying., and we expect our staff, Board members, volunteers, and others associated with or representing BIHR, to treat respectfully all those they interact with during their work for the charity, and in a way that upholds their human rights.
