I chair the Senedd's cross-party group on human rights, and we held a meeting this morning to discuss the motion and the implications of the reforms to the Human Rights Act. Altaf Hussain, you were there, but I don't think you were listening. The consensus among the group's members, who are among Wales's foremost experts on human rights legislation, on the rights of groups such as women, disabled people, and in the field of housing and local services, their consensus was that this reform—so-called reform—is unnecessary and the proposals are likely to lead to regression in the protection and fulfillment of human rights in Wales, and with a potential to hamper progress on equality and social justice in Wales. 

Earlier this year, the human rights stakeholder group, the equality and human rights coalition, the Wales Council for Voluntary Action and Wales Governance Centre held a stakeholder engagement round-table to discuss the UK Government's consultation. Thirty-eight civic society and academic stakeholders were present, many of whom are members of the Senedd's cross-party group on human rights. They were also in agreement that there is no mandate for repeal and that reform will reduce access to justice and the accountability of the UK Government and public authorities. And the firm conclusion was that this should not apply in Wales. We must not let the ideologically driven and flawed reasoning of the UK Government for passing these Bills and for reforming the Human Rights Act to weaken our determination or lessen our ambition to strengthen human rights in Wales. It is imperative that Wales maintains its current progressive course as regards advancing human rights practice and incorporation, and increasing connections between international and domestic human rights law. Given the context set out in the motion, the Welsh Government should accelerate its work on establishing a Welsh bill of rights, and I'm glad to hear the plans announced by the Minister for legislation. The repression of human rights goes against everything we believe here in Wales, and our collective aim to be a nation of sanctuary.

We often talk about the need to learn the hard lessons of the pandemic. The pandemic has undoubtedly shown that the rights of minority groups are particularly at risk at times of crisis. The 'Locked out' report on the experiences of disabled people during lockdown shows clearly why rights must be strengthened, Altaf Hussain, not weakened. It made it clear to us how we can use the Human Rights Act to challenge and create change.