June 15, 2023
Cited article by Steph Brawn, Yahoo News
HRRC applauds Scotland's plans to include United Nations treaties and international human rights laws into Scots law. The inclusion of these treaties and standards are critical for improving the lives of the Scottish people by providing them with a healthier environment and equal access to rights.
Article Summary
Consultations on integrating international human rights law into Scots law are taking place—notably the rights to health and adequate living standards. Plans also will include United Nations economic, social, and cultural rights, as well as environmental standards, women's rights, and protections for disabled people. Scotland's Social Justice Secretary, Shirley-Anne Somerville, says that human rights belong to everyone and "making these rights enforceable in Scots law... is the right thing to do—particularly for a country striving to reduce inequality, increase opportunity and tackle poverty."
In addition to the right to a healthy environment and equal access, the human rights bill proposes to include four UN Treaties into law:
International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR)
International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD)
Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW)
Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD)