UNCRC Scotland Bill receives Royal Assent
- Area of Work: Children and Young People, Policy and Research
- Type: News Item
- Published: 17th January 2024
The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) (Scotland) Bill is incorporated into Scots Law.
The UNCRC is an international treaty setting out the rights that children and young people are entitled to.
The UK ratified the treaty in 1991 but had not made it part of domestic law. This meant that, although the UK Government had a legal obligation to implement the treaty, many of the rights and protections could not be applied or accessed.
The aim of the UNCRC (Incorporation) (Scotland) Bill is to incorporate the treaty into Scots law so that children and young people’s rights can be upheld and respected.
Now that the the Bill has received the Royal Assent and made into law, the UNCRC will, amongst other things:
- Be incorporated into Scots Law
- Put a duty of public authorities to follow the treaty
- Give children and young people the power to enforce their rights in Court
- Require new and old legislation to meet the requirements laid out in the document.
With the enacting of the Bill, rights can finally be made real for children and young people in Scotland.
You can found out more the ALLIANCE’s work on the UNCRC Bill here.
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