HRCS and 31 co-signatories submit recommendation to OHCHR for SHRC to retain A ‘Status’ accreditation

HRCS and 31 co-signatories submit recommendation to OHCHR for SHRC to retain A ‘Status’ accreditation

On 29th January 2026, HRCS submitted a report to the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) along with 31 other co-signatories (full list found below), recommending that the Scottish Human Rights Commission retains its ‘A’ status accreditation. 

HRCS and our members believe that the Commission fulfils its role as Scotland’s National Human Rights Institute in a strategic, planned and professional manner. It embodies our shared commitment to the progressive realisation of human rights in Scotland and the values of freedom, respect, equality and diversity on which they are founded.

The Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI) Sub-Committee on Accreditation are set to review our submission at the upcoming 47th session between 20th April and 1st May.

You can read our full submission document here.

Co-signatories: This report has been endorsed by the following Civil Society Organisations which are members of HRCS (listed in alphabetical order):

• AdvoCard
• Age Scotland
• Alcohol Focus Scotland
• AMINA (The Muslim Women’s Resource Centre)
• ARGH (Autism Rights Group Highland)
• Ayr Housing Aid Centre SCIO
• C-Change Scotland
• CEMVO Scotland
• Choose Play (East Lothian Play Association)
• Citizens Rights Project
• Close the Gap
• Community Transport Association
• CORRA Foundation
• Deafblind Scotland
• Edinburgh and Lothians Regional Equality Council (ELREC)
• Empower Women for Change
• Equality Network
• Glasgow Disability Alliance
• Health and Social Care Alliance Scotland (the ALLIANCE)
• Humanist Society Scotland
• Inclusion Scotland
• Lanarkshire Deaf Hub
• National Autistic Taskforce (NAT)
• Next Chapter Scotland
• Scottish Women’s Convention
• Scottish Independent Advocacy Alliance (SIAA)
• The Paristamen Charity
• The Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisation (SCVO)
• Together (Scottish Alliance for Children’s Rights)
• Welfare Scotland
• Worker Support Centre