Commission urges First Minister to take action on new human rights plan for Scotland

The Scottish Human Rights Commission welcomes the publication of Scotland’s second national human rights action plan (SNAP 2) but warns more must been done to make rights real for people across the country.

We are calling on Scotland’s new First Minister Humza Yousaf to prioritise SNAP 2 and deliver the Scottish Government’s proposed Human Rights Bill and its delayed United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (Incorporation) (Scotland) Bill, without delay.

You can read the SNAP 2 action plan here.

Chair of the Commission, Ian Duddy, says:

“It is a critical time for human rights throughout the UK, and SNAP 2 is a crucial report for Scotland.  Produced by those closest to the issues, it tells us there is much to do to make rights real across Scotland, ensuring everyone can access their human right to a decent standard of living, housing, healthcare and education, amongst other issues.

“Scotland’s second national human rights action plan, SNAP 2, presents an ambitious, achievable framework for real change.

“As Scotland’s new First Minister gets started in office, we call on him to make SNAP 2 an urgent priority; and to deliver the new Human Rights Bill for Scotland and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child Incorporation Bill without further delay.

“The Commission has been at the heart of developing this approach to a national human rights action plan, led by people who are experiencing rights in different settings, from the start. We will now be working with everyone involved to make sure this vision for a Scotland where everyone can live with human dignity is realised”.

Scotland’s second national human rights action plan

Scotland’s second national human rights action plan (SNAP 2) is a bold action plan for a Scotland where everyone can live with human dignity.

Published by the independent SNAP Secretariat, it sets out a framework for promoting and protecting human rights in Scotland, designed by some of the people closest to the issues.

SNAP 2 was developed by a group of individuals and organisations from across Scottish society, including charities, public bodies, national human rights institutions, government representatives and human rights defenders.

The plan outlines how human rights campaigners and public bodies can work together to embed human rights across our public services and lives.

It puts forward 54 practical actions to target some of the crucial issues facing people in Scotland, from the right to a decent standard of living to healthcare, climate change and education.

SNAP 2 highlights eight priorities:

  1. Achieve a decent standard of living.
  2. Improve health, wellbeing and the environment.
  3. Enhance education and work.
  4. Protect private and family life.
  5. Ensure justice.
  6. Learn from COVID-19.
  7. Realise a human rights culture.
  8. Plan and support incorporation of human rights treaties into Scots law

 SNAP and the Scottish Human Rights Commission

The Commission has played a key role in the development of Scotland’s second national human rights action plan from the start.

We co-chaired the SNAP 2 Leadership Panel and, following publication, we will work closely with everyone involved to monitor its implementation.

ENDS

For media enquiries please contact: Judy Fladmark on 07880 398530 or email judy.fladmark@scottishhumanrights.com 

Notes to editors:

  1. From 9am on Thursday 30 March 2023, the full publication of SNAP 2 will be available at snaprights.info.