Human Rights Consortium Scotland | News

New resource: Being Human - Building a human rights culture

Ruari Macneil — Thu, 10 Sep 2026 10:42:00 +0100

Being Human - Building a Human Rights Culture in Scotland brings together key insights from a national event hosted by The ALLIANCE and Human Rights Consortium Scotland in May 2026.

Why we need to change the way we talk about child poverty to build a better future for children

Justyna Kuc — Mon, 07 Sep 2026 10:57:00 +0100

As part of our HRCS Members Webinar Series, we are pleased to share a new blog from Ben Thurman, who leads Save the Children’s Changing the Story project.

Rights Here. Rights Now. Launches Across Scotland

Ruari Macneil — Wed, 02 Sep 2026 08:25:00 +0100

Today, we have launched: Rights Here. Rights Now., a new Scotland-wide storytelling and public engagement campaign developed in partnership with JustRight Scotland (and is funded by The Independent Human Rights Fund for Scotland and Corra Foundation). The campaign aims to show how human rights affect everyday life and why stronger human rights protections matter for everyone in Scotland.

HRCS submits joint letter to the First Minister calling for HR bill

Ruari Macneil — Tue, 01 Sep 2026 12:05:00 +0100

Last week marked a busy end to August for the HRCS...

Ashlin Stover: Reflections on Her Summer Internship with HRCS

Justyna Kuc — Wed, 26 Aug 2026 13:44:00 +0100

Ashlin Stover: Reflections on Her Summer Internship with HRCS

The Consortium Issues Briefing to New cohort of MSPs

Ruari Macneil — Wed, 26 Aug 2026 13:12:00 +0100

HRCS has today written to all Members of the Scottish Parliament elected in May 2026, sharing a briefing on our role, priorities and vision for human rights in Scotland over the course of the new parliamentary session.

Fair Funding Matters for Human Rights

Ruari Macneil — Thu, 06 Aug 2026 12:06:00 +0100

The Consortium is proud to support SCVO’s Fair Funding campaign, which is making the case for a voluntary sector funding landscape that is fair, flexible, sustainable and accessible. At a time when many organisations face increasing demand alongside financial uncertainty, the campaign highlights why long-term, reliable funding is essential for charities, community organisations and wider civil society.

The Consortium Writes to the Prime Minister on Human Rights and Devolution

Ruari Macneil — Wed, 05 Aug 2026 14:21:00 +0100

The Consortium Scotland has written to the new Prime Minister, copying the Secretary of State for Scotland and the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Scotland, to urge action on a significant legal barrier affecting Scotland’s ability to strengthen human rights protections.

It’s time to confront women’s poverty in Scotland

Ruari Macneil — Fri, 31 Jul 2026 09:39:00 +0100

It’s time to confront women’s poverty in Scotland

Earlier this week, Engender launched their new series, Confronting Women’s Poverty, outlining their 5-point plan of action to eliminate the gender income gap & prevent destitution for women & their children.

Ineffective policy, decision-making, & responses to crises like the Covid-19 pandemic & rising cost of living have entrenched women’s poverty, with disabled women, women of colour, migrant women, lone parents & unpaid carers among those most harmed by this inequality.

Women’s poverty is preventable - it’s a political choice that women & their children continue to experience a gender income gap in Scotland.

We join Engender in calling for decisive action from the Scottish Government & others to break this cycle by:

HRCS announces The National will be the official media partner for Scotland’s Human Rights Festival 2026

Ruari Macneil — Mon, 20 Jul 2026 14:03:00 +0100

We’re delighted to announce The National as the official media partner for Scotland’s Human Rights Festival 2026!

New Scottish Social Attitudes Survey Finds Rising Acceptance of Prejudice Towards Some Groups

Ruari Macneil — Mon, 20 Jul 2026 09:38:00 +0100

The following piece was shared by Scottish Social Attitudes covering discrimination and positive action.

First Minister responds to civil society call on Scottish Human Rights Bill

Justyna Kuc — Mon, 29 Jun 2026 09:37:00 +0100

First Minister responds to civil society call on Scottish Human Rights Bill

We are pleased to share that we have received a response from First Minister John Swinney to the joint letter previously sent by HRCS and 42 partner organisations, calling for the Scottish Human Rights Bill and the appointment of a Cabinet Minister for Human Rights.

HRCS Statement of Solidarity

Ruari Macneil — Tue, 16 Jun 2026 14:10:00 +0100

We stand in solidarity with all those affected by the recent anti-immigration protests across the UK, including in Glasgow.

ICESCR at 50 - Progress in Scotland made or much more to do?

Ruari Macneil — Wed, 20 May 2026 13:58:00 +0100

The following piece was written by Charlie McMillan (Director) for Just Fair to mark the 50th annivesary of the UK’s ratification of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR).

Human rights organisations urge First Minister to prioritise Human Rights Bill and Cabinet leadership

Ruari Macneil — Tue, 19 May 2026 13:58:00 +0100

The Consortium, along with a coalition of civil society organisations, have written to the new First Minister, calling for urgent action to strengthen human rights protections across Scotland.

In a joint letter sent on 19 May 2026, HRCS, alongside 42 partner organisations, welcomed the First Minister to office and set out key priorities for the new Parliament.

The Rights Report - Why the Chisinau Declaration Matters for Human Rights in Scotland

Ruari Macneil — Thu, 07 May 2026 10:27:00 +0100

Introduction

Online and In-person Launch Events for A Migrant’s Guide to Scotland – Your Human Rights in a Different Country

Justyna Kuc — Wed, 08 Apr 2026 09:36:00 +0100

A Migrant’s Guide to Scotland – Your Human Rights in a Different Country

The launch of A Migrant’s Guide to Scotland – Your Human Rights in a Different Country was marked by two events that brought together participants, partners, and contributors to celebrate the release of the booklet.

Sofiia’s Blog: International Coffee Morning: A Space for Cultural Exchange and Connection

Justyna Kuc — Wed, 01 Apr 2026 11:43:00 +0100

International Coffee Morning – A Space for Cultural Exchange and Connection

On the 15th of March, Sofiia Matsuk hosted an International Coffee Morning, bringing together a group of young people to share their backgrounds and experiences of moving between cultures.

Launch of A Migrant’s Guide to Scotland - Your Human Rights in a Different Country

Justyna Kuc — Tue, 31 Mar 2026 12:36:00 +0100

Launch of A Migrant’s Guide to Scotland – Your Human Rights in a Different Country

The launch of A Migrant’s Guide to Scotland – Your Human Rights in a Different Country marked an important milestone for the Migrants Participation Project.

HRCS publishes Theory of Change and Strategic Plan for 2026 - 2031

Ruari Macneil — Tue, 24 Mar 2026 09:37:00 +0000

Following the organisation’s first AGM since transition from a single tier to 2 tier SCIO, Human Rights Consortium Scotland has now published its new Theory of Change and Strategic Plan for the next five years (2026-2031).