A HUMAN rights charity has celebrated York becoming the first Human Rights City in the UK.

International Service CEO Jo Baker pledged the York-based global human rights charity’s support to York Human Rights City Network (YHRCN).

YHRCN aims to make York a place where local government, businesses and organisations take positive steps to ensure that human rights are protected, and where people are empowered to understand and claim their rights.

On Monday, April 24, Lord Mayor of York Councillor Dave Taylor will declare York to the UK’s first Human Rights City, formalising the city’s aim to use human rights in decision making.

The aim is to improve five key aspects of life in York - equality and non-discrimination, housing, health and social care, education and a decent standard of living .

Signing the pledge on behalf of the organisation, Jo Baker said: "We know from 64 years’ of experience working with vulnerable people and communities across the globe that when people are aware of, and are able to access their human rights, they can bring about long-lasting changes that benefit not just themselves, but their whole community.

"But that doesn’t mean that human rights only have a role in developing countries. The rights of all children to receive a quality education, for every citizen to receive decent healthcare, be able to earn a living or live in safety are as relevant to our lives in York as anywhere on the planet. So York becoming a Human Rights City is exciting for everyone who wants to build a fairer, stronger city."