Health and Social Care Alliance Scotland
People at the Centre

Become a member

Issues towards human rights incorporation 

  • Area of Work: The ALLIANCE
  • Type: News Item
  • Published: 26th April 2023
A line of placards with a heart, a world, and upward arrow and a speech bubble.

Following the publication of ‘The Opportunity is Now’ report, a follow-up report explores some of the key issues towards incorporation.

A follow-up report authored by branch social research analyses a 30 minute live research session with participants who attended the launch event of ‘The Opportunity is Now’ report in February 2023.

Participants were asked three questions relating to their thoughts – and their organisations’ experience – on human rights reform:

  1. What kind of training is needed (in your organisation) around human rights and incorporation?
  2. What more can be done by the Scottish Government to engage civic and wider society in the human rights agenda?
  3. What are the main barriers to the incorporation of human rights?

Participants identified the need for training which offered ‘applied examples’ to understand how new legislation would apply in everyday life, and training which focuses on what new responsibilities incorporation will bring. Some participants also highlighted that training should be integrated into existing professional practice and development, rather than being an ‘add on’.

Many participants highlighted that there could be more inclusion – particularly of the third sector – in relation to the human rights reforms, as well as greater Government cohesion across different portfolio areas. Some participants also called for more positive framing of human rights in the general public, and a wider public awareness campaign.

The majority of participants cited resources and capacity as the main barriers to the realisation of incorporation. Some participants also mentioned political will and the will of organisations as a barrier, recognising the need for understanding – and buy in – from organisations and sectors not currently engaged or familiar with human rights approaches.

Read the full report.

End of page.

End of page.

You may also like:

Back to all news