[Text on screen]: At least 80 people lost their lives in the Grenfell Tower fire.
Grenfell Tower: why human rights matter
The Right to Life
Article 2 of the Human Rights Convention requires the state to protect the lives of its citizens.
That includes providing well-funded emergency services as well as adequate building and fire regulations.
We will find out whether that right was breached when the fire is fully investigated.
Interview clip of Dr Lisa McKenzie on RT UK: The people that live in Grenfell Towers are not wanted in London. They’re not cared for and they have been disrespected and this has ended in this tragedy.
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2. The Right to Adequate Housing
Grenfell residents knew their housing was unsafe but had no legal mechanism to challenge landlords’ decisions.
The UN Guiding Principles on Human Rights say that everyone has the right to an adequate standard of living…… including food, clothing, housing and social services.
These are only guiding principles
Perhaps it is time to make them binding and enforceable
[Interview clip of Labour MP David Lammy]: The private sector do some wonderful things but they have for-profit motives, they cut corners. Where are the fire extinguishers on every corridor? Where are the hoses?
3. The Right to Legal Representation
Many Grenfell residents were living on low income.
Under human rights law the state should pay for their representation in the public inquiry.
[Interview clip of former Grenfell resident David Collins]: We repeatedly reported concerns to the tenant management organisation of Kensington and Chelsea including fire safety concerns which were not investigated.
[Text on screen]: A full investigation into Glenfell is the first step towards justice...for the victims, their families and all who trust the state for safe housing and support.
Human rights laws should protect the most vulnerable in society.
This tragedy shows why we need human rights to create a fair, just and equal world.
The Right to Life
Article 2 of the Human Rights Convention requires the state to protect the lives of its citizens. That includes providing well-funded emergency services as well as adequate building and fire regulations. We will find out whether that right was breached when the fire is fully investigated. The right to life also means the state has to investigate deaths. This is one of the reasons the government quickly announced a full public inquiry.
2. The Right to Adequate Housing
Grenfell residents knew their housing was unsafe but had no legal mechanism to challenge landlords’ decisions The UN Guiding Principles on Human Rights say that everyone has the right to an adequate standard of living... including food, clothing, housing and social services.
These are only guiding principles. Perhaps it is time to make them binding and enforceable.
Perhaps it is time to make them binding.
[interview clip]
3. The Right to Legal Representation
Many Grenfell residents were living on low income. They should be entitled under human rights law to have their representation in the public inquiry paid for by the state. Under human rights law, the state should pay for their representation in the public inquiry.
[interview clip]
A full investigation into Grenfell is the first step towards justice...for the victims, their families and all who trust the state for safe housing and support. Human rights laws should protect the most vulnerable in society. This tragedy shows why we need human rights to create a fair, just and equal world.
