New report on human rights
12.11.2025
“Strengthening human rights is a matter that strikes at the very heart of our democracy and our collective future” – Sioned Williams MS
The Cross-Party Group on Human Rights, chaired by Sioned Williams MS, has published a report Progress on Human Rights in Wales 2025 following an inquiry into the state of human rights in Wales.
The report’s findings show that despite a decade of recommendations from the UN, Senedd committees, independent research, and civil society, the Welsh Government has not delivered its Programme for Government commitments to incorporate key UN treaties into Welsh law.
The report details the consequences for the people of Wales, and calls for a Human Rights Wales Act, which it says should be introduced at the earliest opportunity.
Sioned Williams also took a debate to the Senedd on the importance of strengthening human rights for the people of Wales.
Sioned Williams MS, Plaid Cymru Member of Senedd for South Wales West, said:
The findings, published in our report, reveal a Wales where human rights are too often promises rather than protections.
Meanwhile, the people of Wales continue to face poverty, inadequate social security, and barriers to accessing healthcare, housing, education, and justice, while discrimination continues to deny the rights of disabled people, women, racialised communities, and children.
The report was produced by Professor Simon Hoffman of Swansea University, and Glenn Page of Amnesty Cymru.
Glenn Page, Director, Amnesty International Cymru said:
It is not enough to say we support human rights; we must protect human rights in law to ensure that now, and in the future, people’s everyday rights are protected and upheld.
That why Amnesty International Cymru is calling for a Human Rights Wales Bill, because it’s the only way to ensure protections for people’s right to education, health, housing and all the things we need to live with dignity and security.
Sioned Williams added:
I want to thank the secretary of the Cross Party group, Professor Simon Hoffman of Swansea University, and Glenn Page of Amnesty Cymru for their work on producing this report and their longstanding dedication to the work of strengthening human rights in Wales.
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