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xUNCRC Act is now in force!
Date: 24th July 2024
Category:
General measures of implementation, General principles
Tuesday 16th July 2024 marked a historic day for children’s rights in Scotland with the commencement of the UNCRC (Incorporation) (Scotland) Act 2024. This landmark legislation puts children’s rights at the heart of Scots law, creating legally binding duties for public authorities.
This momentous occasion was celebrated across Scotland and beyond in many ways. The incorporation of the UNCRC into Scots law mandates that decision-makers in Scotland consult with children and young people on policy changes affecting their lives. This will help to ensure that their views are heard and respected, and better decisions are taken as a result. The 2024 Act also provides a legal avenue for babies, children and young people in certain situations if a public authority breaches their rights.
As we celebrate the commencement of the UNCRC Act, it is important to recognise how far we have come and the promising future ahead. Everyone living in Scotland, including children, young people parents/carers and other adults, need to understand what this means for them and where they can get help if they have concerns.
Duty bearers also need to push forward the UN’s ‘to do’ list and work to address the barriers that babies, children and young people can face in accessing their rights. Only by working together can children’s rights be fully upheld, ensuring every child has the chance to reach their full potential and work to address the barriers that babies, children and young people can face in accessing their rights. Only by working together can children’s rights be fully upheld, ensuring every child has the chance to reach their full potential.
The journey to this day has not been an easy one, driven by a decade-long campaign led by children and young people across Scotland. Tuesday 16th July 2024 stands as a testament to their brace and passionate campaign.
Together has been publishing a series of blogs over the past seven days to countdown to commencement. In case you missed them, please find them below!
- Adoption of a Children's Rights Approach in Wales (and beyond) - UNCRC;
- Using a Children's Rights Approach to Education: Reflecting on Racism and School Exclusions Experienced by Ethnic Minority Children – UNCRC;
- A Children's Rights Approach to Health Services: Reflections on a Case Study from Wales - UNCRC
- Elected Members and a Children's Rights Approach: Reflections from Wales - UNCRC;
- Children Evaluating the Work of a Public Authority: A Children's Rights Approach - UNCRC;
- 'Now the Real Work Begins': Children and Young People Put at the Heart of Scots Law.
We would also like to share a new publication by LLM students from the University of Edinburgh’s Human Rights Clinic. From Theory to Practice: Strengthening Child Rights Impact Assessments (CRIA) in Scotland aims to bridge the gap between UNCRC theory and CRIA practices, encouraging Scottish and Welsh Governments to collaborate in building capacity and complementing each other’s experiences to ensure strengthened protection of current and future generations’ rights.