We warmly welcome the launch of the Scottish Government’s consultation on the incorporation of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child into Scots law. We particularly welcome the clear commitment that legislation is delivered within this parliamentary session and agree with the Scottish Government that incorporation has the potential to transform the experience of children, young people and their families across Scotland.
MSPs have voted to pass the Age of Criminal Responsibility (Scotland) Bill. The Bill raises the minimum age at which a child can be held criminally accountable from eight years (the lowest in Europe) to 12. However, it falls short of international recommendations that the minimum age should be at least 14 years.
On 6th May, Together presented oral evidence to the UN Committee against Torture, highlighting key concerns around the strip searching of children and young people, inappropriate placement in detention and mental health provision.
A majority of MSPs on the Scottish Parliament Equalities and Human Rights Committee have backed the proposal to reform the law to end physical punishment. The Committee released their Stage 1 Report after hearing overwhelming evidence from police, health professionals, social workers and teachers that physical punishment of children doesn’t work and can do harm.
Children’s Parliament has launched a ‘Wee Book of Promises.’ The new booklet communicates the UNCRC in accessible and child-friendly language in a graphic form to children and young people. The booklet will be used in all of Children’s Parliament’s work and Members of Children’s Parliament will receive a copy when they participate in their projects and consultations. The ‘Wee Book of Promises’ can be downloaded online here with printed copies available through direct contact with Children’s Parliament.
Since 1989 the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) has played a central role to improve the lives of children around the world. The CRC is the most holistic human rights treaty, including social, cultural and economic rights, as well as civil and political rights. It defines every human being below 18 years of age as a holder of human rights, taking into account both protection and empowerment necessary to make this notion a reality for every child.
The Children and Young People's Commissioner Scotland (CYPCS) and Action for Children have published a report about their independent inquiry into the Children's Hearings System (CHS) in Scotland.
The Scottish Government has published its strategy to improve health by reducing alcohol and drug use in order to prevent harm and related deaths.
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