EHRC: New Scotland Committee Members
Kaliani Lyle, Scotland Commissioner recently announced the appointment of two new members of the Equality and Human Rights Commission’s (EHRC) Scotland Committee. Emma Ritch and Lorraine Barrie join The Scotland Committee which is a statutory decision-making body and is responsible for ensuring the overall work of the Commission reflects the needs and priorities of the people of Scotland. Committee members are appointed for 2 years, with the possibility of reappointment for a further two years. The new Committee members will be paid £250 per day for approximately 12 days a year.
The EHRC is the National Equality Body for Scotland and an “A-status” National Human Rights Institution. The Scotland Committee is responsible for the functions delegated to it under the Equality Act 2006. The Committee’s statutory role includes:
- Advising the Commission about the exercise of its functions as they affect Scotland.
- Exercising the Commission’s power to publish information, undertake research, provide education or training, and give advice or guidance in order to promote understanding of the importance of, and encourage good practice in relation to, equality and human rights.
- Advising the Scottish Government the effectiveness of equality and human rights legislation and the effect of proposed or existing legislation of the Scottish Parliament.
- Informing the Commission’s Board on how its proposals will affect people living in Scotland;
- Overseeing and guiding the work of the EHRC in Scotland;
- Contributing to development and implementation of the Commission's strategic and business plans.
About Emma Ritch
Emma Ritch is Executive Director of Engender, which is a feminist NGO working on women’s social, economic, and political equality in Scotland. Prior to this she was manager of Close the Gap for nine years, and worked extensively on women’s labour market participation. She is a member of the Scottish Women’s Budget Group, and is acting chair of the Scottish Human Rights Consortium management committee. She is chair of the board of the Rape Crisis Centre in Glasgow, and vice-chair of Rape Crisis Scotland's board. She is also a trustee of the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations, and the treasurer of the 50:50 campaign.
Among other working groups, she sits on the equality advisory group of Skills Development Scotland and the Scottish Court Service, and a number of groups relating to the delivery of the Scottish National Action Plan for Human Rights.
About Lorraine Barrie
Lorraine Barrie worked for 8 years as a solicitor in a community law centre in Glasgow, where she represented and advised clients on housing, employment, debt, welfare benefits and consumer law. She developed expertise in equality law relating to access to services by EU migrants, asylum seekers and refugees, and worked to challenge discriminatory practices. In partnership with a range of stakeholders she developed drop-ins, bilingual resources and training events to increase awareness of legal rights and remedies.
She now works as Coordinator of South East Integration Network, a broad network of voluntary and statutory organisations delivering education, arts, youth and cultural activities and events in South East Glasgow. She is a Trustee of Friends of Romano Lav, a Roma-led charity based in Glasgow.
