Local authorities have been reminded that the right to freedom of expression does not justify exposing people to hatred and violence during election campaigning.
The Equality and Human Rights Commission has published new guidance to explain how equality and human rights law affects election campaigning. It states that while it is ‘entirely proper’ to have debate over controversial matters, this should not come at the expense of the rights and freedoms of others.
‘Free and fair elections are the basis of democracy,’ said Mark Hammond, chief executive of the Equality and Human Rights Commission. ‘The law recognises the value of political debate as the foundation of a democratic society, but it also protects people from incitement to hatred and violence.
‘As a national expert body on equality and human rights law, we hope our guidance will help public bodies, political parties and candidates to navigate this complex area.’
The new guidance highlights that discrimination, harassment and victimisation are prohibited from councillor’s advice surgeries, and political parties must not discriminate or harass any staff like any other employer.
It also reminds local authorities not to publish material which appears to generate public support for a political party, and that all lawful candidates in local elections have a right to use rooms in publicly-funded premises free of charge for public meetings.