UK: Grenfell families still waiting for justice

Today marks seven years since the Grenfell Tower fire and still no one held to account 

Survivors and bereaved families need justice now 

New ‘Failure to Prevent’ law needed that makes clear companies will not get away with causing harm  

‘Companies must not be allowed to put profit ahead of people’s lives’ - Sacha Deshmukh 

Marking the seventh anniversary of the Grenfell fire today, Sacha Deshmukh, Amnesty International UK’s Chief Executive, said:  

“It is appalling that seven years on no one has been held to account for the deaths of 72 people killed in the Grenfell fire, nor has there been justice for the survivors and bereaved families. 

“This preventable tragedy disproportionately impacted minoritised communities and despite the fire happening in one of the wealthiest boroughs in London, the community affected was predominantly one living in poverty. Residents of Grenfell had raised multiple safety concerns that went unheard or were ignored.   

“Companies must not be allowed to put profit ahead of people’s lives - we need a new Failure to Prevent law that makes it clear that companies will not get away with causing harm. If the Grenfell cladding and construction companies knew that they would be punished for their negligence, they may have acted differently.  

“The dangers of combustible cladding were known, foreseeable and avoidable, but the companies involved thought they could get away with cutting corners – they must be shown that they cannot. The people affected by Grenfell need justice now.  The next UK Government must ensure that everyone’s right to a safe and decent home is protected.”    

Residents’ concerns ignored 

Eighteen children were among the 72 people who were killed in the Grenfell tower block on 14 June 2017 in North Kensington, West London. Survivors, bereaved families and campaign groups have continuously called for truth, justice and accountability but none of the companies or people responsible for the unsafe materials and building practices used in Grenfell’s refurbishment have been charged.  

Even before the fatal blaze residents had raised multiple concerns and complaints about fire safety of the tower block. Housing legislation reform to improve housing standards and tenants’ rights is long overdue. There is an urgent need to ensure better regulation of the standard and safety of housing and more robust routes for tenants’ complaints to be heard and actioned.