A renewed resolve: Collective commitment to human rights at the Scottish Human Rights Conference 

Despite the recent concerns over the Scottish Human Rights Bill, the day felt insightful and optimistic.

Attending the recent Scottish Human Rights Conference on 11 September, I was struck by both the deep disappointment and the renewed sense of resolve in the room. Organised by the Human Rights Consortium Scotland, the event took place amidst growing concern over the delay of the Scottish Human Rights Bill, which had been expected to offer significant legislative steps toward incorporating international human rights treaties into Scottish law. This Bill, developed over the past decade, would have been a desperately needed transformative step in securing economic, social, and cultural rights protections, particularly for marginalised groups. However, its postponement in the Scottish Government’s 2024 Programme for Government has left many activists and civil society members disheartened. 

Angela O’Hagan, the new chair of the Scottish Human Rights Commission (SHRC), spoke passionately about making rights a lived reality in Scotland. She voiced her concerns about the persistence of inequality and the failure of policies to guarantee fundamental rights such as housing, food security, and dignity. Her address highlighted the palpable frustration many felt; the Bill’s delay seems to represent a significant missed opportunity for Scotland to lead by example in the UK and beyond.  

Specifically in terms of the right to health, the Bill would help to ensure that human rights remain at the centre of decisions made around health and social care services, and would tackle the challenges that many Scots face, which results in being unable to access basic health services. The morning workshop I attended, ‘Rights, Equity and Health: a society with health and wellbeing at the heart’, led by the Health and Social Care Academy, discussed how the incorporation of the right to health could bring about key societal and economic benefits. Key points included the need for meaningful involvement of people with lived experience, such as the co-designed Charter of Rights. It also highlighted the need for public bodies to adopt a rights-based, trauma-informed approach, with the government taking targeted action to advance human rights including the right to health. 

Yet, the atmosphere was not one of negativity. Speeches, workshops and panel discussions were peppered with optimism and the atmosphere in the Trades Hall remained uplifted throughout the day. It was energising to experience the sense of collective commitment to keep pushing for the incorporation of rights into domestic law, even in the face of political hurdles. Angela O’Hagan emphasised the determination and commitment of the Commission to get this Bill pushed through, especially  to protect those whose rights are most at risk . Moreover, the SHRC’s focus on economic, social, and cultural rights, especially in underrepresented regions like the Highlands and Islands, illustrates that the broader human rights agenda in Scotland is advancing in meaningful ways despite legislative setbacks.  

One of the most insightful takeaways from the conference was the understanding that human rights are not abstract concepts, but fundamental to the dignity of every individual. Whether it’s ensuring adequate social care so that no one is forced into undignified living conditions or addressing systemic inequalities that force families to rely on food banks, the practical applications of human rights are clear. The SHRC’s strategic goals emphasise promoting these values across all sectors of society, from healthcare to social security, to ensure that they become accessible and easily understood.  

This was echoed within the afternoon workshop I attended, titled “Nurturing the Next Generation: Future Human Rights Leadership”. Led by JustRight Scotland, the session addressed challenges faced by young people entering the third sector and the need for greater accessibility, leadership and clarity in human rights advocacy. This workshop emphasised that the third sector must  ensure that rights-based language and frameworks are easily understood and available to all. It is crucial that we make these rights tangible and actionable, so that everyone, especially future leaders, can confidently navigate and advocate within the sector. This discussion reinforced the broader conference message of keeping human rights at the core of societal progress, while making them accessible and relevant to all communities. 

At a time when global human rights are under increasing strain, Scotland’s commitment to progressive human rights policies offers a crucial perspective. The conference provided not just a reflection on the challenges ahead, but a call to action for all of us, from policy and decision makers to third sector organisations to citizens, to continue advocating for a rights-based society.  

The disappointment of the delayed Human Rights Bill underscores the importance of maintaining momentum. The choice to not incorporate the Bill is disheartening, but the enthusiasm witnessed during the conference suggests that, while the legislative path may be slow, the moral and social case for human rights in Scotland is stronger than ever. 

The 2024 Scottish Human Rights Conference underscored both the frustrations and hopes of the human rights movement in Scotland. Despite the setback with the Human Rights Bill, the event reaffirmed a shared commitment to ensuring that every person’s dignity, autonomy, and rights are respected. For those of us who attended, the message was clear; there is still much to be done, but by working together, we can build a society where everyone enjoys their human rights. 

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