Human rights

Global Partners & Associates offers practical analysis and evaluation of human rights regimes, their promotion and implementation, and within the UK works to improve understanding of the Human Rights Act framework.

We focus on understanding the practical impacts of applying human rights standards to enable governments and public officials to benefit from the distinctive approach this framework brings to managing services.

Training for UK regulators

Global Partners & Associates was commissioned by the UK's Ministry of Justice to conduct an analysis of how human rights systems might be used to improve the quality of public services. The resulting assessment examined the potential application of such frameworks in the provision of public services, and specifically the implications of this analysis for public sector regulators, such as the Healthcare Commission, the Ombudsmans' offices, Ofcom and HM Inspector of Prisons. Global Partners is working with the Ministry of Justice to develop and deliver a training module for public sector regulators.

Assessing impact of human rights on anti-poverty strategies

Global Partners is working on behalf of the Joseph Rowntree Foundation to examine the potential use of human rights standards in tackling poverty. This analysis will examine how the existence of a human rights framework has influenced policy-makers and shaped the development of anti-poverty strategies in India, South Africa, Latin America and Ireland. The intention is to understand the implications and develop policy recommendations for government, including the devolved UK parliaments.

Human rights audit of the health service

Global Partners has worked with the UK's Department of Health - responsible for the NHS policy framework - to review the Department's existing standards and frameworks for human rights. The project reviewed governance arrangements relevant to the implementation of human rights, and conducted an internal audit of human rights awareness. Our final report identified weaknesses in the department's approach to human rights, such as the need for a clearer chain of management responsibility. From this analysis the department developed a prioritised future work programmes, and helped the Department to understand how it can best protect and promote human rights through the NHS, leading to better experiences for patients.