The ALLIANCE responds to the Human Rights Bill Consultation
- Area of Work: The ALLIANCE
- Type: News Item
- Published: 5th October 2023
ALLIANCE have published their response to the proposed Human Rights Bill for Scotland
The response sets out the ALLIANCE’s views on the proposed Human Rights Bill for Scotland.
In June, the Scottish Government published its consultation on proposals for a new Human Rights Bill for Scotland. The proposed bill plans to enshrine international human rights, including the right to health and an adequate standard of living, into Scots law.
The bill looks to reduce inequality and would place a broader range of human rights at the centre of how Scotland’s frontline public services are delivered. Enshrining rights in law also aims to empower individuals to understand and claim them, and to ensure there is more effective monitoring and accountability when things go wrong.
The Human Rights Bill proposes to incorporate four UN human rights treaties into Scots law:
- International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ISESCR)
- International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD)
- Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW)
- Convention on the Right of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD)
The ALLIANCE response recognises that incorporation is a challenging endeavour. However, it is imperative that the legislation gives the maximum possible effect to people’s human rights. This means ensuring that the Bill includes a duty to comply with as many of the rights as possible – including substantive rights in CEDAW, CERD and CRPD – as well as robust measures on access to justice, participation, implementation, scrutiny, and accountability.
The response also highlights the challenges of the consultation process, including the timescale over summer, and a lack of detail.
The ALLIANCE have also backed the response from the Human Rights Budget Working Group on the Human Rights Bill for Scotland. The response, linked below, sets out that although improvement has been made in terms of regard to human rights budgeting, however, more can be done within this bill to improve and strengthen human rights budgeting.
Read the full response below.
End of page.
You may also like:
Have your say in the draft 'Quality prescribing for Chronic Pain: a guide for improvement 2026-2029'.
Continue readingFree exercise sessions in Hamilton for people living with Parkinson's and their carers.
Continue readingNext programme launch of SMS:CONNECT, the free online self management programme for young people aged 9–17, from Children's Health Scotland.
Continue reading70% of disabled women reported feeling worse off financially compared to last year.
Continue readingThe Self Management Fund is open for applications until 19 December 2025.
Continue readingEvery Tuesday the Discover Digital team at the ALLIANCE shares a free and trusted digital tool that supports health and wellbeing.
Continue readingAging well is a valuable tool for anyone looking to live better, healthier, and more independent for longer.
Continue readingThe Scottish Government want to hear from part-time study and disabled students about your experiences and the support available to you.
Continue readingThe Scottish Union of Supported Employment (SUSE) will host Inclusive Workplaces Week Scotland from 17 to 21 November 2025.
Continue readingFind out more about Inclusion Scotland's Access to Elected Office Fund.
Continue readingNew service expected to free up 20,000 hospital appointments a year
Continue readingA Cross-party Group on Deafness working group conducted a study into the declining numbers of QToDs
Continue readingUKAS accreditation is recognised throughout the healthcare sector as providing an important and impartial evaluation of quality of care
Continue readingMapping the Future of Adult Vision Impairment Community Services
Continue readingA team of parents, young people and professionals compile a list of the ‘Top 10’ most important research questions
Continue readingThe Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee investigated whether the Act has improved the lives of BSL users
Continue readingCreated in partnership with Angus Health and Social Care Partnership
Continue readingA partnership of organisations including the ALLIANCE have issued an open statement on what's needed to urgently tackle health inequalities.
Continue readingGDA is hosting free creative sessions for young disabled people aged 14–25 and their carers during the October holidays.
Continue readingScottish Government will launch an online service in Lanarkshire in December, then develop an app for nationwide roll out starting April 26
Continue readingSocial Side Gig offers a new recruitment service to help connect students and employers around part-time social care roles.
Continue readingDementia Carers Count want to hear from you - if you provide, or previously provided, care to someone with dementia, fill in this survey.
Continue readingSeven people and organisations were celebrated for their contribution to self management.
Continue readingABPI Scotland published its manifesto for life sciences in Scotland, setting out the ABPI’s ambitions for the sector and asks of politicians
Continue readingThe ALLIANCE is hosting several events across October and November 2025 in support of the Scottish Government's Women's Health Plan.
Continue reading