Now UN probes violence against women in the UK

Previous UN visitor: Work and Pensions
Secretary Iain Duncan Smith called
Raquel Rolnik a 'loopy Brazilian lefty'

United Nations human rights chiefs have launched an investigation into violence against women in Britain.

A UN 'special rapporteur' will spend two weeks inquiring into 'the main manifestations of violence perpetrated in the family and in the community' and whether the British Government condones it.

The visit by South African academic and equality campaigner Rashida Manjoo provoked anger among ministers, who fear it will produce a fresh set of UN demands for radical new laws.

One Government source said the inquiry would produce 'a fiesta of politically correct nonsense about a serious issue'.

Last autumn the UN's special rapporteur on adequate housing, Brazilian Raquel Rolnik, invited herself to Britain and delivered a report demanding the abolition of what she called, to the fury of Tory politicians, 'the bedroom tax'.

Mrs Rolnik spoke to left-wing activists, called for rent controls, and recommended a massive programme of public housing construction. Work and Pensions Secretary Iain Duncan Smith called her a 'loopy Brazilian lefty', described her report as 'outrageous', and said she had compromised the impartiality of the UN.  (more...)

Now UN probes violence against women in the UK