Human Rights Watchdog Begins Legal Action over BNP Membership Policy

The British National Party is facing legal action over claims that its membership restrictions are in breach of racial discrimination laws.

The Human Rights Commission has issued court proceedings against the party, its leader and two other officials. The move by the human rights ombudsman comes after it voiced concerns about the BNP’s constitution and membership criteria. The commission said that the party appeared to restrict membership to particular ethnic groups and to those whose skin colour was white. Any such exclusion would be contrary to the Race Relations Act, which the commission has a duty to enforce.

The BNP responded by saying that it intended to clarify the word “white” on its website. However, the commission said it believed that the party would continue to discriminate against potential or actual members on racial grounds. It added that the continued publication of the BNP constitution and membership criteria on its website was unlawful.

The commission’s legal director said that the BNP was not willing to amend the membership criteria, which were discriminatory and unlawful. The commission has a statutory duty to use regulatory powers to enforce compliance with the law, so they issued court proceedings against the BNP.

A county court could issue an injunction to remove material from its website and to cease use of certain recruitment criteria. Any refusal would be a contempt of court, punishable by a fine or up to two years’ imprisonment.

The Minister for Women and Equality said that no party should be allowed to have an apartheid constitution in the 21st century Britain and added that she welcomed the action.

The commission also expressed concerns that the BNP’s elected representatives might discriminate on grounds of race or colour in the provision of services to members of the public or constituents. However, it is notpursuing legal action on those fronts and will instead monitor compliance.

The BNP told the commission that its elected representatives would make available any services they provided to all constituents, including ethnic minority members. BNP councillors have also signed a members’ code of conduct stating that they would not do anything that might cause their local authority to breach any equality law.

It has told the commission that on certain application forms it will insert the words “if applicable” when asking for insertion of a BNP membership number. A spokesman for the BNP said that it had nothing to add to its earlier statement issued in response to the commission’s original letter. In that detailed 17-page letter, he accused the commission of a “ lack of procedural fairness ” by demanding a response within 30 days with the threat of legal proceedings, and claimed it was acting outside its statutory powers. Besides, he accused the commission of racial discrimination against the BNP and of breaching its human rights.

                                                                  N. Griffin. Times Online

Practicum 10.14

Translate the italicized parts of Text 10b into Russian

Practicum 10.15

Practicum 10.16

Assume the role

- of an official with The Human Rights Commission to support the fact that the BNP’s activities are in breach of racial discrimination laws;

- of a high-profile member of the BNP to support the view that the BNP acts in compliance with equality laws and protects and promotes human rights.

Practicum 10.17

Study the article and draft a statement to encourage the Afghan government to revisit and review the law as it is a clear case of human rights violations