Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, with reference to the document E/C.12/GBR/CO/5 12 June 2009, Consideration of Reports Submitted by States Parties Under Articles 16 and 17 of the Covenant, what steps the Government has taken to implement the recommendation that the UK take effective measures to increase awareness of economic, social and cultural rights among judges; and if he will make a statement.

The UK Government responded to those United Nations recommendations as part of its 6th periodic report of 17 June 2014 to the United Nations under the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. That report is publicly available on the United Nations’ website and also on GOV.UK at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/international-covenant-on-economic-social-and-cultural-rights-icescr-periodic-report. Paragraphs 13-15 at page 11 of the report address the recommendation on raising awareness of the Covenant.

The UK Government has been giving effect to the United Nations International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights through a combination of legislation and administrative measures, with the aim of achieving progressively the full realisation of the rights recognised in the Covenant.

Responsibility for training of the independent judiciary rests with the senior judiciary. Fair and equal treatment is regarded as a fundamental principle of administering justice and one which is embedded in the judicial oath. The Equal Treatment Bench Book is available electronically to every judge as a reference resource on equal treatment and diversity issues relating to protected characteristics.