Civil Society Organisations Urge Cabinet Secretary for Action on UNCRC Bill
Civil Society Organisations Urge Cabinet Secretary for Action on UNCRC Bill
A group of Scottish and UK civil society organisations, led by the Consortium, has written to Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Shirley-Anne Somerville MSP, to ask her to take further action to strengthen children's rights.
The letter coincided with evidence sessions held by the Scottish Parliament Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee, on the Reconsideration of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) Bill. The UNCRC Bill was passed unanimously by the Parliament in 2021, but its progress was halted when the UK Supreme Court ruled that some of its provisions were outside the legislative competence of the Scottish Parliament.
Now, the Bill is under reconsideration by the Scottish Parliament. Civil society organisations have been making their voice heard during this Reconsideration stage, and we have asked the Cabinet Secretary to take the following 4 actions:
- Set out a clear timetable for legislative review:
- Commit to using specific legislative opportunities to expand the scope of
the Bill - Commit to minimising future Scottish Parliament amendments to UK Acts
- Commit to the continuation of UNCRC Implementation Programme
The letter was signed and/or supported by the following organisations:
- Human Rights Consortium Scotland
- Amnesty International
- Health and Social Care Alliance Scotland (the ALLIANCE)
- Welfare Scotland
- Making Rights Real
- JustRight Scotland
- Scottish Borders Social Enterprise Chamber
- East Ayrshire Advocacy Services
- Environmental Rights Centre for Scotland
- Carers Trust Scotland
- Alcohol Focus Scotland
- C-Change Scotland
- Children 1st
- Children’s Parliament
- Blue Triangle
- Close the Gap
- Who Cares Scotland
- Equality Network
- Scottish Women’s Convention
- Peace Loving CIC
- Nourish Scotland
- Inclusion Scotland
- Govan Community Project
- Talking Mats
- Forth Valley Migrant Support Network
- CAPS Independent Advocacy
- IncludeMe
- Simon Community Scotland
- Poverty Alliance
- Engender
- LGBT Youth Scotland
- JustFair
- Women’s Aid South Lanarkshire and East Renfrewshire
- Faith in Older People
- TSI Scotland Network
- Maryhill Integration Network
- Scottish Women’s Aid
Click here to read the letter in full
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