Congress on Human Rights in Wales

On 10^th December 2025 people and civil society organizations working with a range of people and communities across Wales will come together at the Temple of Peace in Cardiff during a Congress on Human Rights in Wales.

The objectives of the Congress are:

• To promote awareness and understanding about the need for incorporation of international human rights into Welsh law.
• To express ongoing support for incorporation of international human rights into Welsh law.
• To publish a ‘Declaration in Support of Incorporation’ agreed by all present at the Congress.

In the build up to the Congress there will be a number of events to raise awareness of the purpose and benefits of incorporation of international human rights into Welsh law. The events will also provide opportunities for those in attendance to influence the content of the ‘Declaration in Support of Incorporation’ to be agreed during the Congress.

Please see the Draft Declaration in Support of Incorporation below. This will provide the basis for discussion during the events in the build up to the Congress. It is a ‘living’ document and may be added to or amended before 10^th December 2025.  

Revised drafts of the Declaration will be published from time-to-time.

Set out below is the Draft Declaration in Support of Incorporation. This will provide the basis for discussion during the events in the build up to the Congress. It is a ‘living’ document and may be added to or amended before 10^th December 2025. 

Congress on Human Rights in Wales 

DECALARATION: 
ON INCORPORATION OF INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS IN WELSH LAW 

Introduction

On 10^th December 2025 civil society organizations from across Wales met at the Temple of Peace in Cardiff to take part in a Congress on Human Rights in Wales (the ‘Congress’).

The purpose of the Congress was to discuss progress to realize the human rights guaranteed to everyone in Wales as set out in international human rights treaties to which the UK is a State Party.

Those taking part in the Congress were particularly concerned to discuss and debate:

• Actions taken to progress human rights by the Welsh Government and the Senedd using devolved powers and competences.
• The desirability of further devolved legislation to incorporate international human rights into Welsh law.

Following discussion the Congress agreed the following:

As human rights are the responsibility of all governments the Welsh government should take all necessary steps, including legislative, administrative, financial, educational and other measures, to respect, protect and fulfil human rights for all in Wales. Accordingly, the Welsh government should make full use of all the powers at its disposal to introduce legislation to ensure these objectives are met in full.

Congress notes the following in relation to progress on human rights in Wales:

• To be discussed at events in the build up to the Congress and added to the final draft.
• In the build up to the Congress people and organizations will be invited to discuss any additional statement to be added to this section.

Taking note of the matters set out above the Congress agreed and declared the following:

DECLARATION

To strengthen and advance the realization of human rights in Wales the Welsh government should introduce a Bill to the Senedd to incorporate international human rights into Wales law.

FURTHER ACTION

In addition to the above, those present at the Congress discussed calls for action to give effect to human rights for groups facing historic and ongoing adverse discrimination in Wales.

With the above in mind, those present at the Congress confirm their support for the following calls for action:

• Content of the appendices to be discussed at events in the build up to the Congress and added to the final draft.

Appendix 1: Call for Action on CEDAW.

Appendix 2: Call for Action on UNCRDP.

Appendix 3: Call for Action on CERD.

Appendix 4: Call for Action on UNCRC.

Appendix 5: Call for Action on the Right to Adequate Housing.