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Scottish Civil Society Call for Swift Action on UNCRC (Incorporation) (Scotland) Bill

  • Area of Work: The ALLIANCE
  • Type: News Item
  • Published: 12th July 2023
A line of placards with the title reading 'Human Rights'

The ALLIANCE has joined with 15 other organisations to raise concerns over the progress of children’s rights legislation.

Prominent Scottish organisations have raised concerns over the delay in amending and commencing the UNCRC (Incorporation) (Scotland) Bill. The organisations express disappointment that the Reconsideration process for the UNCRC Bill has not yet begun. They refer to previous correspondence with the Minister for Equalities and Older People, Christina McKelvie, who had assured them that amendments to the bill would be forthcoming “as soon as possible.”

The delay in initiating the Reconsideration process has prompted the organisations to urge the Scottish Government to take immediate action. Transparency is also highlighted as a crucial aspect. The organisations request the publication of proposed amendments to the UNCRC Bill before the conclusion of the Human Rights Bill consultation period. Additionally, they call for an audit of UK Acts in devolved areas that impact children’s rights, along with a clear timetable for conducting this audit.

The letter expressing these concerns was signed by a coalition of organisations, as follows:

  • Danny Boyle, BEMIS Scotland
  • Oonagh Brown, Scottish Commission for People with Learning Disabilities (SCLD)
  • Dr. Rebecca Crowther, Equality Network
  • Shivali Fifield, Environmental Rights Centre for Scotland (ERCS)
  • Juliet Harris, Together Scotland
  • Colin Lee, CEMVO Scotland
  • Clare MacGillivray, Making Rights Real
  • Cathy McCulloch, Children’s Parliament
  • Katy Nisbet, Clan Childlaw
  • Sara Redmond, the Health and Social Care Alliance Scotland (the ALLIANCE)
  • Lindsey Reynolds, Amnesty International
  • Pete Ritchie, Nourish Scotland
  • Mhairi Snowden, Human Rights Consortium Scotland
  • Suzanne Swinton, Scottish Independent Advocacy Alliance (SIAA)
  • Alison Watson, Shelter Scotland
  • Jim Elder Woodward, Inclusion Scotland

These organisations stress that progressing the UNCRC Bill without further delay is vital to uphold and protect the rights of children and young people in Scotland.

The letter in full can be read here.

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