Scottish Government publish Human Rights Bill discussion paper
- Area of Work: Policy and Research
- Type: News Item
- Published: 1st July 2025
The paper sets out the Government's thoughts on the proposed Human Rights Bill.
As part of the Scottish Government’s ongoing work to develop a Human Rights Bill, they have published a discussion paper which sets out their thoughts on some of the key principles behind and challenges facing the Bill. The Human Rights Bill would incorporate a range of human rights treaties into Scots Law, allowing people to name and claim their rights under the following treaties:
- 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 responded to the consultation on the Bill in October 2023, setting out our support for incorporation in a way that would give maximum effect to these rights. Although the Bill had previously been expected in this term of the Scottish Parliament, it was announced last year that it would be delayed. The ALLIANCE joined with over 100 other organisations in writing to the Scottish Government to express our opposition to such a delay.
The current Scottish Government have said they intend to bring the Bill forward in the next term of parliament, subject to the outcome of next year’s election. You can read the discussion paper on the Scottish Government website here. It is also available in an Easy Read format here.
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