ROTA and EHRC (March 2019) Following Grenfell: Grenfell residents’ access to public services and support

Race on the Agenda has carried out research, in partnership with the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC), to look at the human rights and equality dimensions of the Grenfell fire tragedy in June 2017. The purpose of the research has been to determine if the State is fulfilling its duties under human rights and equality law.

This report presents the lived experience of people who were affected by the fire at Grenfell Tower.  It shows the difficulties they have faced in accessing advice and support services such as housing, immigration, welfare support and healthcare.

The report looks at the experiences of residents and stakeholders within the context of the following human rights:

• the right to adequate housing
• the right to life
• freedom from torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment
• equality and non-discrimination
• children's rights

The research was conducted by Poornima Karunacadacharan and Ayah Omar from ROTA, with assistance from Preeti Kathrecha and Marion Sander at the EHRC and Andy Gregg, Eleanor Stokes and Kimberly McIntosh at ROTA. Thanks are due to the ROTA volunteers who transcribed the interviews: Amana Qureshi, Tahira Bakhtiari, Nausheen Khan and Parana Rajesh. Stuart Hodkinson and Sue Lukes advised ROTA on ethical issues and survey design and Sue Lukes assisted with editing.

We hope this research will influence the Grenfell Tower inquiry by supporting the arguments survivors are making and ensuring equality and human rights issues are not overlooked.

This research project was commissioned by the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC).

Read the report HERE.