Getting Rights Right: New Report from Equalities and Human Rights Committee endorses Scottish Government’s commitment to incorporate UNCRC in Scots Law

Date: 4th December 2018
Category: Civil Rights and Freedoms, Incorporation

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Scottish Parliament’s Equalities and Human Rights Committee has published its report on Human Rights in Scotland which welcomes the Scottish Government’s commitment to incorporate the principles of the UNCRC into Scots Law.  The Committee calls for the commitment to be taken forward in this parliamentary session.

The report outlines a human rights ‘road map’ for the Parliament and outlines a series of recommendations designed to strengthen and further embed human rights principles into existing policies and procedures.

It draws upon the recommendations put forth by Together and members Scottish Youth Parliament, Children’s Parliament, UNICEF, Action for Children and Who Cares? Scotland during an evidence session with the Committee in the Scottish Parliament in May 2018. During this session, Together’s Director, Juliet Harris, highlighted the ways in which Scottish Parliament can embed children’s human rights in to their processes and actively involve children and young people to ensure their views and experiences are heard.

It is encouraging to see the Committee’s report directly address these points raised when it states that “greater efforts are needed to ensure children’s voices are heard” and goes on to recommend that Scottish Parliament “undertake an investigation as to how it can actively encourage children’s participation”.

Read ‘Getting Rights Right’ report here.

Watch Together give evidence to the Equalities and Human Rights Committee here.