The biggest change in race relations legislation for a quarter of a century kicks in today. New rights for individuals and new duties for public bodies come into force with the implementation of the Race Relations (Amendment) Act.

The Act fulfils the recommendation of the Stephen Lawrence inquiry report that the 'full force' of race relations legislation should apply to the police. From now on members of the public will be able to take cases to court when they consider they have been racially discriminated against by the police.

In addition, the Act lays a duty on public bodies to work for racial equality in their employment practices and the services they provide. The Commission for Racial Equality will have the power to enforce this duty if public bodies do not fulfil this responsibility.

Gurbux Singh, Chairman of the CRE, said: 'Britain today moves into a new gear on racial equality. All public bodies have new responsibilities and members of the public have new rights.

'Areas of discrimination that were immune from the Race Relations Act but which could have a devastating impact on people's lives have now been brought within its scope and individuals will be able to take cases to the courts.

'The public sector has not lived up to the justified expectation that it should deliver racial equality. It now has no option but to do so.

'Parliament, united with the agreement of all parties on this historic step, has put racial equality at the heart of the responsibilities of public bodies. They will now need to look at what they do, who they serve and who they employ, and make sure that they provide equality of opportunity across all their activities.

'This will end the waste of talent that discrimination imposes, improve the quality of individual lives and lay the basis for a new and positive relationship between public authorities such as the police and all members of Britain's diverse communities.'

The CRE has published two documents today: a guide to the general duty for public bodies to promote racial equality and a handbook detailing the assistance the CRE can give to members of the public wishing to pursue complaints of racial discrimination.

In addition to the use of police powers, members of the public will now be able to take court cases arising from complaints of racial discrimination over issues such as decisions to detain under the Mental Health Act or the use of regulatory powers by local authorities in environmental health.

Public bodies now need to assess where and how racial equality is relevant to the way they carry out their various functions and then deal with any problems they uncover.

The Race Relations (Amendment) Act was given Royal Assent on 30 November 2000. The Home Office has published a detailed consultation paper on the duties it provides for public authorities. This is available at www.homeoffice.gov.uk/raceact/welcome.htm.

To review a summary of the changes to the Race Relations Act, click here.

For further information, visit the Commission for Racial Equality website, click here.

Top