UK: Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner urges transparency, proactive approach to combat slavery amongst UK-based UN Global Compact signatories

Date: 7th April 2016
Category: General principles, Civil Rights and Freedoms, Other human rights treaties and mechanisms

The Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner has written to all UK-based UN Global Compact signatories urging transparency statements demonstrating a proactive approach to combating slavery.

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Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry’s Terms of Reference

Date: 7th April 2016
Category: Children in situations of exploitation

If you consider that your organisation may potentially hold records which relate to matters covered by the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry's Terms of Reference, the Inquiry asks that you take immediate steps to preserve them, and to make them aware of the fact that you may hold relevant records, by no later than 31st May 2016.

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Redesigning Health Information for Parents (ReHIP) - Gathering parent perspectives

Date: 30th March 2016
Category: Disability, Basic Health and Welfare, Health and health services

NHS Health Scotland is undertaking a project to improve the information it provides to parents and carers. As part of this project they are seeking the views of parents and carers on some of the resources available during pregnancy and the toddler years.

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Minimum Age of Criminal Responsibility

Date: 30th March 2016
Category: Age of criminal responsibility

Together are a part of the Independent Advisory Group that has recently released its report on the minimum age of criminal responsibility in Scotland. The key recommendation is that the age of criminal responsibility should be raised from 8 to 12 years as soon as possible. A Scottish Government consultation is now open on whether to raise the age of criminal responsibility to 12.

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CYP Act 2014 guidance for Part 1 and Part 3

Date: 30th March 2016
Category: General measures of implementation, Scotland-specific monitoring and reporting

This consultation seeks views on the Children and Young People Act 2014 guidance for Part 1 (rights reporting) and Part 3 (Children's Services Planning).

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Scottish Government response to UNCRC list of issues for UK

Date: 29th March 2016
Category: Scotland-specific monitoring and reporting

The UK's UN Committee on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) compliance will be examined formally at an oral session on 23 and 24 May 2016. The full Scottish Government response to the UNCRC List of Issues, setting out the actions taken in Scotland to protect and promote children's rights in the areas identified by the UNCRC has now been published.

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European and External Relations Committee Report on repeal of the Human Rights Act

Date: 29th March 2016
Category: Other human rights treaties and mechanisms

In 2015, Together gave written evidence to the European and External Relations Committee for its inquiry on the UK Government's proposals to repeal the Human Rights Act 1998. The Committee has now concluded its inquiry and has written to the UK Government with its key findings.

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Minimum Age of Criminal Responsibility Report issued

Date: 29th March 2016
Category: Age of criminal responsibility

Together are proud to be a part of the Independent Advisory Group that has released its report on the minimum age of criminal responsibility in Scotland. The key recommendation is that the age of criminal responsibility should be raised from 8 to 12 years as soon as possible.

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Equally Safe updated publication

Date: 29th March 2016
Category: Equal protection from violence

An updated version of Equally Safe, Scotland's Strategy to prevent and eradicate violence against women and girls in Scotland, was published on March 23rd.

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New Race Equality Framework for Scotland 2016-2030 launched

Date: 29th March 2016
Category: Non-discrimination

The Race Equality Framework for Scotland was launched on 21st March 2016 to mark the UN Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. Together welcomes this commitment from the Scottish Government to ensure the UNCRC is at the heart of the framework. The Race Equality Framework for Scotland sets out the Scottish Government's approach to promoting race equality and tackling racism and inequality between 2016 and 2030. The Framework is based on the priorities, needs and experiences of Scotland's minority ethnic communities, with expertise contributed by the public and voluntary sectors and academia to ensure that the Framework is practical and deliverable; and to create measurable progress on race equality.

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