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{{Short description|Former British non-departmental public body}}
⚫ The '''Commission for Racial Equality''' (CRE) was a ] in the ] which aimed to tackle ] and promote racial equality. Its work has been merged into the new ], though it will subsist as a separate body until 2009.
{{distinguish|Congress of Racial Equality}}


{{use dmy dates|date=August 2016}}
⚫ The Race Relations Act applies in England, Wales and Scotland. It does not apply in Northern Ireland, where the Race Relations (NI) Order 1997 applies. The CRE's work covers all the areas where people are protected against discrimination under the Race Relations Act.


⚫ The '''Commission for Racial Equality''' ('''CRE''') was a ] in the ] which aimed to address ] and promote racial equality. The commission was established in 1976, and disbanded in 2007 when its functions were taken over by the newly created ].
⚫ The mission statement of the Commission was: "We work for a just and integrated society, where diversity is valued. We use persuasion and our powers under the law to give everyone an equal chance to live free from fear of discrimination, prejudice and racism."


== History ==
⚫ The '''main goals''' of the CRE were:
The Commission was established by the ], under ]'s ]. Its first Chairman was former Conservative MP, ]. It was formed through the amalgamation of the ] and the ].<ref name="RRB Minutes and Papers">{{cite web |title=Race Relations Board: Minutes and Papers |url=https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C4102 |website=/discovery.nationalarchives |publisher=The National Archive |access-date=29 June 2019 |language=en }}</ref>
⚫ *To encourage greater integration and better relations between people from different ethnic groups.
⚫ *To use its legal powers to help eradicate racial discrimination and harassment.
⚫ *To work with government and public authorities to promote racial equality in all public services.
⚫ *To support local and regional organisations, and employers in all sectors, in their efforts to ensure equality of opportunity and good race relations.
⚫ *To raise public awareness of racial discrimination and injustice, and to win support for efforts to create a fairer and more equal society.


⚫ The Race Relations Act, which has now been superseded by the ], applied in England, Wales and Scotland. It did not apply in Northern Ireland, where the Race Relations (NI) Order 1997 applies. The CRE's work covered all the areas where people were protected against discrimination under the Race Relations Act.
The CRE organised the annual RIMA (Race in the Media) awards. In 2005 the Media Personality of the Year award was won by footballer ]. The 2006 RIMA awards ceremony were held on 14 June at the Royal Opera House, London.


⚫ The mission statement of the commission was: "We work for a just and integrated society, where diversity is valued. We use persuasion and our powers under the law to give everyone an equal chance to live free from fear of discrimination, prejudice and racism".
In 2006 the CRE launched a new free bimonthly publication on race issues, ]. The magazine aims "to kickstart debates, discussions, new ideas and arguments - about where we are now, and where we might be going in the future."

⚫ The main goals of the CRE were:
⚫ * To encourage greater integration and better relations between people from different ethnic groups.
⚫ * To use its legal powers to help eradicate racial discrimination and harassment.
⚫ * To work with government and public authorities to promote racial equality in all public services.
⚫ * To support local and regional organisations, and employers in all sectors, in their efforts to ensure equality of opportunity and good race relations.
⚫ * To raise public awareness of racial discrimination and injustice, and to win support for efforts to create a fairer and more equal society.

The CRE organised the annual '''Race in the Media Awards''' (RIMA),<ref>, ''The Guardian''.</ref> launched in 1992,<ref>, The University of Manchester.</ref><ref>Lisa O'Carroll, , ''The Guardian'', 3 December 2001.</ref> to encourage more informed coverage of race relations, diversity and multiculturalism as well as acknowledging excellence in the coverage of race issues by the UK media.<ref>, The University of Manchester.</ref><ref>. The University of Manchester.</ref> In 2005, the Media Personality of the Year award was won by footballer ] "for his strong stance against racism in football, most notably by initiating Nike's 'Stand Up, Speak Up' campaign".<ref>, ''CRE Annual Report and Accounts'', 2005, p. 16.</ref>

When the CRE ceased to exist as a separate entity, its library was acquired by the ] at the ].


==Issues== ==Issues==
*In October 2007 the Commission was to be merged into a new single Great Britain equalities body, the ] (]). However, the CRE has proposed a new non-governmental public body to work alongside the CEHR to guide, advise and mediate on community relations, civic engagement and citizenship. * In October 2004, the Commission was to be merged into a new single Great Britain equalities body, the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC). However, the CRE proposed a new non-governmental public body to work alongside the CEHR to guide, advise and mediate on community relations, civic engagement and citizenship.
*]. On September 22nd 2005, in the aftermath of the ], Trevor Phillips gave a speech, , warning that the UK was in danger of becoming a segregated nation. * ]. On 22 September 2005, in the aftermath of the ], ] gave a speech, "Sleepwalking to Segregation", warning that the UK was in danger of becoming a segregated nation.<ref>Dominic Casciani, BBC News, 22 September 2005.</ref>
*]. In their January 2005 report , the CRE raised concerns over the potential effects of the Identity Cards Bill on ethnic minority and vulnerable groups in society. * ]. In its January 2005 report, the CRE raised concerns over the potential effects of the Identity Cards Bill on ethnic minority and vulnerable groups in society.


==Commissioners== ==Commissioners==
''See also ]'' ''See also ]''


The CRE was run by up to 15 commissioners (including the chair), who were appointed by the ]. The CRE was run by up to 15 commissioners (including the chair), who were appointed by the ]. At January 2007 the commissioners were:
⚫ * Kay Hampton (Chair)

* Khurshid Ahmed
⚫ *Chair - ]
⚫ * Yaseen Ahmed

⚫ * Mohammed Aziz
Commissioners as of January 2007
⚫ * ]

* Julia Chain
*]
⚫ * Jane Codona
⚫ *Mohammed Aziz
⚫ * ]
⚫ *Sir ]
*] * ]
* Sir Dexter Hutt
*]
*Sir ] * ]
*Sir ] * ]
*] * ]
*] * Cherry Short
⚫ *]
⚫ *]
⚫ *Reverend ]
*]


==Controversy== ==Controversy==
When it was first established, there was a lot of judicial and governmental unrest about the scope of the Commission's investigatory powers. In one particular case, ] went so far as to compare the use by the CRE of its investigative powers to "the days of the inquisition".<ref>'']'' QB 144</ref> Subsequent House of Lords decisions made clear that the Commission had no power to launch investigations into employers' affairs where there had been no allegation of discrimination.<ref> '']'' AC 779 and '']'' ICR 473</ref> When it was first established, there was much judicial and governmental unrest about the scope of the Commission's investigatory powers. In one particular case, ] went so far as to compare the use by the CRE of its investigative powers to "the days of the inquisition",<ref>'']'' QB 144.</ref> and to suggest that it had in consequence created racial discord.<ref name="DT">{{Cite news|work=Daily Telegraph|title=Race Board's 'Inquisition' over Turban|date=30 July 1982|author=James O'Driscoll}}</ref> Subsequent House of Lords decisions made clear that the Commission had no power to launch investigations into employers' affairs where there had been no allegation of discrimination.<ref>'']'' AC 779 and '']'' ICR 473.</ref>

There has been some controversy surrounding what has been perceived by many to be the CRE's unequal handling of cases of discrimination. Trevor Philips recent refusal to comment on a 'black children only' school trip causing much anger among members of the local white community. The organisation has also been criticised for having a disproportionate number of ethnic minority members on its staff, again raising the question of whether or not the organisation is really promoting genuine equality, or simply lobbying for minority groups. The organisation has rarely spoken out about cases of discrimination against whites such as a high profile case in 2006 where a graduate was refused a job for being white.

==See also==
⚫ *]


==Notes== == See also ==
⚫ * ]
{{reflist|2}}
* ]


==External links== == References ==
{{Reflist}}
*
*


] ]
] ]
]
]
]
]

Latest revision as of 03:05, 28 September 2024

Former British non-departmental public body Not to be confused with Congress of Racial Equality.

The Commission for Racial Equality (CRE) was a non-departmental public body in the United Kingdom which aimed to address racial discrimination and promote racial equality. The commission was established in 1976, and disbanded in 2007 when its functions were taken over by the newly created Equality and Human Rights Commission.

History

The Commission was established by the Race Relations Act 1976, under James Callaghan's Labour government. Its first Chairman was former Conservative MP, David Lane. It was formed through the amalgamation of the Race Relations Board and the Community Relations Commission.

The Race Relations Act, which has now been superseded by the Equality Act 2010, applied in England, Wales and Scotland. It did not apply in Northern Ireland, where the Race Relations (NI) Order 1997 applies. The CRE's work covered all the areas where people were protected against discrimination under the Race Relations Act.

The mission statement of the commission was: "We work for a just and integrated society, where diversity is valued. We use persuasion and our powers under the law to give everyone an equal chance to live free from fear of discrimination, prejudice and racism".

The main goals of the CRE were:

  • To encourage greater integration and better relations between people from different ethnic groups.
  • To use its legal powers to help eradicate racial discrimination and harassment.
  • To work with government and public authorities to promote racial equality in all public services.
  • To support local and regional organisations, and employers in all sectors, in their efforts to ensure equality of opportunity and good race relations.
  • To raise public awareness of racial discrimination and injustice, and to win support for efforts to create a fairer and more equal society.

The CRE organised the annual Race in the Media Awards (RIMA), launched in 1992, to encourage more informed coverage of race relations, diversity and multiculturalism as well as acknowledging excellence in the coverage of race issues by the UK media. In 2005, the Media Personality of the Year award was won by footballer Thierry Henry "for his strong stance against racism in football, most notably by initiating Nike's 'Stand Up, Speak Up' campaign".

When the CRE ceased to exist as a separate entity, its library was acquired by the Ahmed Iqbal Ullah Race Relations Resource Centre at the University of Manchester.

Issues

  • In October 2004, the Commission was to be merged into a new single Great Britain equalities body, the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC). However, the CRE proposed a new non-governmental public body to work alongside the CEHR to guide, advise and mediate on community relations, civic engagement and citizenship.
  • Segregation. On 22 September 2005, in the aftermath of the July bombings in London, Trevor Phillips gave a speech, "Sleepwalking to Segregation", warning that the UK was in danger of becoming a segregated nation.
  • National identity cards. In its January 2005 report, the CRE raised concerns over the potential effects of the Identity Cards Bill on ethnic minority and vulnerable groups in society.

Commissioners

See also Category:Commissioners for Racial Equality

The CRE was run by up to 15 commissioners (including the chair), who were appointed by the Home Secretary. At January 2007 the commissioners were:

Controversy

When it was first established, there was much judicial and governmental unrest about the scope of the Commission's investigatory powers. In one particular case, Lord Denning MR went so far as to compare the use by the CRE of its investigative powers to "the days of the inquisition", and to suggest that it had in consequence created racial discord. Subsequent House of Lords decisions made clear that the Commission had no power to launch investigations into employers' affairs where there had been no allegation of discrimination.

See also

References

  1. "Race Relations Board: Minutes and Papers". /discovery.nationalarchives. The National Archive. Retrieved 29 June 2019.
  2. "Race in Britain: Race in the Media Awards", The Guardian.
  3. "CRE Race in the media awards 2002", The University of Manchester.
  4. Lisa O'Carroll, "Race in the Media celebrates first decade", The Guardian, 3 December 2001.
  5. "CRE Race in the media awards 1997", The University of Manchester.
  6. "CRE Race in the media awards 1998". The University of Manchester.
  7. "Race in the Media Awards", CRE Annual Report and Accounts, 2005, p. 16.
  8. Dominic Casciani, "Analysis: Segregated Britain?" BBC News, 22 September 2005.
  9. Science Research Council v. Nasse QB 144.
  10. James O'Driscoll (30 July 1982). "Race Board's 'Inquisition' over Turban". Daily Telegraph.
  11. R v. CRE, ex parte Hillingdon Borough Council AC 779 and In re Prestige ICR 473.
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