ASN provision in Scotland under severe pressure

Date: 16th May 2017
Category: Inclusive education

The SCSC launched its manifesto ahead of the council elections, warning of a 'lost generation' of children and young people with additional support needs (ASN) if cuts in local authority budgets continue.

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New research shows girls discouraged from politics through the media

Date: 16th May 2017
Category: Non-discrimination

Girlguiding Scotland - the charity for girls and young women - is calling for action following concerns sexist coverage of female politicians is leaving girls feeling side-lined from the political conversation.

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Equality Outcomes and Mainstreaming Report 2017

Date: 16th May 2017
Category: Non-discrimination

The Scottish Government's Equality, Third Sector & Communities Division have published an update on how Scottish Government is making progress on incorporating equality across its activities and delivering on the equality outcomes set in April 2013.

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New Scottish Social Security powers update

Date: 16th May 2017
Category: Social security

Further details about the new Scottish Social Security Agency were revealed by the Minister for Social Security on 27th April in a ministerial statement to the Scottish Parliament which set out the basic principles of how devolved benefits will be delivered.

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The UK’s compliance with key anti-torture treaty

Date: 16th May 2017
Category: UN Convention Against Torture (CAT)

The European Committee for the Prevention of Torture has released a report on the UK's compliance with a key anti-torture treaty, claiming that none of the prisons visited by the delegation last year "could be considered safe for prisoners or staff".

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Briefing paper: the non-punishment of trafficked children

Date: 16th May 2017
Category: Child trafficking

Children who have been trafficked may also find themselves in conflict with the law through e.g. immigration or criminal offences. This briefing paper assesses the early impact of the new 'non-punishment' provisions, and considers whether the measures that have been put in place are sufficient to protect trafficked children.

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Consultation on Homelessness

Date: 16th May 2017
Category: Family Environment and Alternative Care

The Local Government and Communities Committee has launched a call for written evidence on homelessness. They want to find out the reasons why people can find themselves homeless or threatened with homelessness and what can be done to tackle this effectively.

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Draft General Comment on the right of persons with disabilities

Date: 16th May 2017
Category: UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD)

There is a call for comments from the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities on the draft General Comment on the right of persons with disabilities to live independently and be included in the community (article 19).

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Equal Protection from assault

Date: 16th May 2017
Category: Equal protection from violence

John Finnie MSP has launched a consultation on a proposed Bill on Equal Protection for children and young people. The Bill aims to remove the legal defence of "justifiable assault", bringing Scotland in line with UNCRC recommendations and with most other European countries.

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Universal Period Review (UPR) of the UK

Date: 16th May 2017
Category: Scotland-specific monitoring and reporting

On May 4th 2017, the UK was examined on its human rights record under the Universal Periodic Review (UPR).

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