UNCRC Bill Passes & Cabinet Secretary Responds to Civil Society Letter
UNCRC Bill Passes & Cabinet Secretary Responds to Civil Society Letter
On 12th December, the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) Incorporation (Scotland) Bill was passed by Parliament. This Bill is a critical step forward for children's rights in Scotland, as it brings the international convention designed to protect them directly into Scots law.
Following this news, the Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice Shirley-Anne Somerville replied to our civil society letter sent out before the vote, addressing our 4 calls for the UNCRC Bill.
Back in November, we joined with 36 other Scottish civil society organisations to ask the Cabinet Secretary to take the following 4 actions during the Bill's Reconsideration stage:
- 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 Cabinet Secretary's reply states that she will commission a legislative review after the Bill receives Royal Assent to become an Act, but does not suggest how long this may take.
Addressing our concerns about minimising future Scottish Parliament amendments to UK Acts, the Cabinet Secretary said that "it will be a priority to ensure wherever possible" that new functions of the Scottish Parliament fall within the scope of?the current devolution arrangement with Westminster.
Click here to read the Cabinet Secretary's response in full
Click here to read our original letter
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