A Broken Promise: Scottish Human Rights Bill not included in Programme for Government

A Broken Promise: Scottish Human Rights Bill not included in Programme for Government

Last week (4th September 2024) the Scottish Government published their new Programme for Government for the year 2024-25. The Programme for Government outlines the legislative programme for the Parliamentary year ahead, and sets out the actions the Scottish Government will take.

The Consortium is deeply disappointed to discover that the Scottish Human Rights Bill has not been included in this year’s Programme.

The Scottish Human Rights Bill- initially due to be introduced to Parliament in June 2024- will incorporate 4 major human rights treaties into Scots law. It will be a crucial step forwards in human rights protection in Scotland. However, its development has been beset by delays, and the Scottish Government has broken the trust of civil society and human rights defenders by not introducing it on time. This decision is a broken promise to the people of Scotland, particularly those most marginalised and those in poverty, for whom key rights protections would be life-changing.

The delay is also disrespectful to the work of everyone involved in developing the Bill, from individual human rights defenders and members of Lived Experience Boards to civil society campaigners and civil servants.

The Scottish Government has repeatedly committed to introducing the Bill during the Parliamentary session ahead. There is no reason for it not to be introduced now. 

We call upon the Scottish Government and First Minister to reverse this decision immediately. The Scottish Human Rights Bill must be reinstated into the legislative agenda without further delay.

We insist that the Scottish Government keeps its promise, and introduce the Scottish Human Rights Bill to Parliament by February 2025.