Commission statement on Human Rights Bill for Scotland

The Scottish Human Rights Commission is deeply disappointed that First Minister John Swinney today failed to deliver the new Human Rights Bill for Scotland in his Programme for Government. This is not where we expected to be. 

As Scotland’s National Human Rights Institution, we had been clear on our shared expectation that the long-promised Human Rights Bill would be introduced in the current Parliamentary session.

Professor Angela O’Hagan is Chair of the Scottish Human Rights Commission. She said:

“The proposed Human Rights Bill would have provided a framework for a fairer Scotland, strengthening a human rights-based approach to local and national policy making in law.

“Abandoning this Bill denies people access to justice to ensure their human rights are fully realised, from a safe home to decent food and good health and social care.

“In a week where the Cabinet Secretary for Finance has already announced deep cuts across public spending, these decisions weaken the commitment to fight poverty and directly impact the most marginalised in Scotland.

“The Scottish Government has spent years considering and consulting on a Scottish Human Rights Bill. Civil society groups, organisations and human rights defenders have devoted their time, expertise and experience to shaping it. 

“The Scottish Government had made a commitment to them and to all the people of Scotland which it has now failed to honour. We are calling on the Government to introduce the full and long-awaited Human Rights Bill in the current Parliamentary session. The moment to strengthen everyone’s human rights in law in Scotland is now – and should not be put on hold.”

Ends

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