Delivering progress on human rights in Scotland

Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville will outline the Scottish Government's plans to advance human rights in Scotland, when she gives evidence to Holyrood's Equalities and Human Rights Committee today

More can and should be done before a Human Rights Bill is introduced to test and refine proposals to ensure the Bill protects human rights as effectively as possible, as set out in the Programme for Government, she will tell MSPs on the Committee.

Speaking ahead of the session, Ms Somerville said:

“The Human Rights Bill is an opportunity to build a human rights culture across public services in Scotland and increase accountability for meeting people's everyday rights. However, given the significance and complexity of the Bill there is more that can and should be done now to test and refine proposals further, to ensure it meets our ambitions.

“For the first time in 14 years we have an opportunity to work constructively with a new UK Government which appears more willing to address issues together, including how devolution is working in practice, and I hope this will continue to be the case.

“We are determined to embed a human rights-based approach in everything we do and that is why I intend to take what action we can to advance rights now and prepare the public sector for new duties in the future.

“I believe we have a singular opportunity at this moment to get these proposals right, to pave the way for stronger human rights legislation and to produce a Bill that provides clarity for public bodies, so that it can be implemented effectively and make a real impact for rights-holders in their everyday lives."