All Our Rights in Law

This project brought together over 430 people for over 35 community conversations to talk about a new human rights law for Scotland.  

Thank you to everybody who took part! 

Across all conversations, people welcomed the idea of putting all of our human rights into Scots law. This was seen as a positive step. 

However, across almost every conversation, people also spoke about their significant concern that this new law needs to be fully put into practice. People felt strongly that ensuring real improvements to their rights requires more than simply passing a new law. 

People said that, to make these rights reality:  

1. People need to know and understand their rights 
2. The new law needs to have teeth 
3. Systemic change on human rights should not rely on individuals 
4. In-depth advice should be available when you have a rights problem  
5. Independent advocacy services should be available to all 
6. We need a human rights culture across public authorities 
7. Adequate resourcing is needed 
8. Voices of marginalised people should guide public decision-making  
9. Mechanisms for public accountability should be built in 
10. Incorporation of specific rights for women, disabled people and on race  
11. Action needed to address economic, social and cultural rights, and right to a healthy environment 
12. Action needed to protect rights of particular groups 
13. Learning should be applied from experience of rights during COVID-19 

Read the report in full here (48 pages).

Read the summary of key points here (1 page).

Read the Easy Read version of the report here (9 pages).

Participants were also asked ‘What is your final message to the National Taskforce and Scottish Government?’ Find out what they said here.

Watch a video which summarises the key findings of the project, with BSL interpretation

The National Taskforce recommendations

All Our Rights In Law informed the work of the National Taskforce for Human Rights Leadership. The Taskforce has now published their report with recommendations for the new human rights law.  Read the Taskforce report here. 

The Taskforce’s 30 recommendations have been accepted by the Scottish Government.  They include a new Bill to be introduced in the next parliamentary session that will include: 

• the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights 
• the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) 
• the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (CERD) 
• the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) 

But what next?

• Keep the conversation going!

All Our Rights in Law: Reflection and Next Steps, 20th and 27th April- click here to register
Join us to discuss the findings of All Our Rights In Law, reflect on our experiences of taking part, and talk about the next steps. We will also hear from Professor Alan Miller about the National Taskforce’s report, and there will be an opportunity to ask questions.

• Stay informed!

It is really important that people are involved in helping to shape what this new law looks like. If you would like to stay in touch with us and be informed of the latest developments, please email Rebecca@hrcscotland.org 

• Join us!

Is your organisation a member of the Human Rights Consortium Scotland? Members receive updates, information and invites to events, to help you keep up with all the latest developments around human rights in Scotland. You can sign up for free here.