Social Security

Social security is a human right that is protected by a range of international human rights laws and standards. These provide detailed standards and commentary on the State's obligations to respect, protect and fulfil the right to social security. They include:

• Council of Europe Code of Social Security
• Article 12, European Social Charter
• Article 34, EU Charter of Fundamental Rights
• International Labour Organisation Convention No. 102
• General Comment 19 of the UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights 

Our animation below explains the right to social security and what it means for people's other rights. You can also read a transcript of the animation, with descriptions.

Scotland's new social security system recognises social security is a human right and aims to treat people with dignity and respect. Recognising that social security is a human right is a first step to ensuring accountability and further developing economic and social rights in Scotland.

For more information:

• The Commission welcomed the Scottish Government's publication of the Scottish Social Security Charter in related news article (Jan 2019)
• The Commission published a briefing on a proposed amendment to the Social Security Bill that would see Ministers placed under a duty to have a due regard to the international human right to social security and news article (Jan 2018)
• The Commission's response to the Scottish Government's consultation on A New Future for Social Security and news article (Oct 2016)