York poised to declare itself the UK’s first ‘Human Rights City’

The Lord Mayor of York, Cllr Dave Taylor, will next week declare York to be the UK’s first ‘Human Rights City’.

The York Human Rights City Network, which was launched in 2011 with the aim of promoting the status, said: “As the UK’s first Human Rights City, York has the ambition to use human rights in decision making, promote awareness and debate about human rights and ensure all residents’ rights are respected.”

The YHRCN added: “Throughout the world, cities have declared themselves Human Rights Cities. In other words, they’ve committed to putting these fundamental freedoms at the heart of everything they do…..

“The declaration marks an ambition. It represents a significant point in our journey, but not a destination.”

It said a number of organisations in the public and voluntary sector had pledged to put people's fundamental rights at the heart of policies and plans for the future.

City of York Council has begun to integrate human rights into its internal impact assessment process, while North Yorkshire Police is said to be keen to develop a 'rights based approach' with targeted human rights training.

There are around 100 Human Rights Cities worldwide.

The declaration will be made at the Merchant Taylors’ Hall in York on 24 April.

Cllr Taylor said: “Declaring York as the first Human Rights City in the UK means the people of York have pledged that treating everyone equally, with fairness, dignity and respect is important to them and that they want the city to continue to work towards this objective.

“I am delighted to be part of this event celebrating the commitment that the city has to the fundamental freedoms and rights of its residents.”