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In September 2022 the Criminal Justice Board for Wales published its Anti-Racism Action Plan. It was the first time ever that all of the criminal justice agencies in Wales had agreed to work together to collectively tackle racism and racial disparity. All criminal justice partners in Wales agreed to collectively develop and deliver against anti-racist actions.
The Independent Oversight & Advisory Panel (the Panel) was launched in 2022 to oversee the Plan’s progress. Panel members, listed below, were appointed through an open process and are remunerated for their time. They work to oversee the progress of the criminal justice team against the Plan and provide test and challenge via bi-monthly meetings and provide advice where possible.
They work across Wales with the Criminal Justice Board for Wales to help address the systemic discrimination and disadvantages experienced by Black & Minority Ethnic people in the Criminal Justice System. Their work actively involves collaborating with the police, probation, prisons, Crown Prosecution Service, Youth Justice and the court service. The Panel actively challenge, champion, and provide advice on Wales’ approach to tackling racism to make a real difference to the lives of Black & Minority Ethnic people across Wales.
Chantal is an Associate professor in Ethics and Law in the faculty of Medicine, Life Sciences & Health and Social Care at Swansea University. She lectures extensively on Equality & Diversity. She has been an active community member since she moved to Wales in 1974. She has held several public appointments in the NHS and housing sector. She was one of the founding members of the African Community Centre and is currently a trustee of the Indian Society of Southwest Wales in Swansea.
Bharat is an academic based in the Law Department at Cardiff University, where he lectures on and researches the topics of racism, human rights, criminal justice, and miscarriages of justice. Bharat also sits on the Independent Monitoring Board for HMP Eastwood Park. His interest in race and criminal justice stems from his time working on death penalty cases in the United States of America 20 years ago, and how similar racial injustices occur in our own criminal justice system.
Amana brings her academic experience along with practical experience being a former Police Cadet and mentee with EYST (Ethnic minorities and Youth Support Team) as part of the Equal Power, Equal Voice programme.
Aminur has extensive experience engaging with minority ethnic communities at grassroots levels. With a background spanning the public sector, higher education, and the voluntary sector, he currently works as a recruitment officer promoting careers in education and leads on efforts to diversify the education workforce in Wales. Prior roles include advocating for individuals facing discrimination at Swansea Bay Regional Equality Council, as well as volunteering as a Prison Chaplain.
Hajer works to provide targeted, culturally sensitive support to families and young people with additional needs. Hajer is currently completing a degree in International Relations with a special interest in race equality and is also a member of the Welsh Refugee Coalition, feeding in the lived experience of ethnic minority people in North Wales. She enjoys live music and is a member of a singing group in Wrexham.
Martin is a committed activist and has worked in many organisations such as North Wales Police, Welsh Government, and the Senedd, to raise awareness of inequalities that Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities face.
Moawia brings a wealth of senior public experience to the Panel. As a former member of South Wales Police Authority and an Independent Custody Visitor, as well as a Senior Selection Assessor for the National Policing Improvement Agency, Moawia has been a passionate advocate for change in policing. Moawia also holds roles within Coleg Gwent, St John Ambulance, Hafod Housing, United Nations, Welsh Government, and City of London Livery Companies.
Ray is an innovative, dynamic, highly motivated person with wide ranging experience and expertise as a board member and chairman. Ray has chaired formal investigations with the Prison Service as well as the Crown Prosecution Service. Ray also led an advisory committee looking at the disproportionate impact the pandemic had on the Black and Asian population in Wales.
Robiu brings a vast background in community engagement and working with different groups. He is an experienced Higher Education practitioner, with over a decade of experience in community engagement and inclusion. He regularly provides institutional guidance and expert advice on the principles and practice of equality, diversity, and inclusion, specifically issues affecting race and ethnicity in the UK.
If you would like to get in touch with a member of the Panel or find out more about the work of the Panel, please complete this form.
All content on this page has been provided by the secretariat for the Independent Oversight & Advisory Panel. Content last reviewed – March 2025
