Robertson calls for collective action to meet human rights challenges

A call for collective action to strengthen human rights in Scotland has been made to mark the annual International Human Rights Day.

Judith Robertson, chair of the Scottish Human Rights Commission, has appealed to people and organisations across Scotland to "harness the country’s positive human rights dialogue" in order to help protect the rights of individuals.

Ms Robertson was speaking against a background of reports by different groups of recent experiences concerning human rights issues, including barriers to accessing rights, discrimination of marginalised groups and communities, and the rolling back of rights of groups such as disabled people, as highlighted recently by an inquiry by the UN Committee for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

Her call came ahead of a "national participation event" tomorrow, 12 December, when people across Scotland can help evaluate Scotland's National Action Plan for Human Rights (SNAP), the Commission's programme for integrating human rights into public services and policy formation. 

“This International Human Rights Day, we are celebrating the work done to date through Scotland’s National Action Plan for Human Rights and calling on people and organisations across Scotland to actively and vocally respond to the pressing human rights challenges currently facing people in their own communities", Ms Robertson said. "The real impact that these challenges have in the reality of people’s day to day lives is clear from the events we have been delivering around Scotland.

“Scotland is uniquely placed to lead a drive of this nature thanks to the positive and empowering dialogue across the country about human rights. Collectively we can harness this power to make a huge difference to the lives of people at a time when they need it most – when we are witnessing regression of human rights in some areas."

She added: "Fuelled by some of the threats to the UK’s human rights in recent times (including potential legal changes under Brexit, demonising and stigmatising campaigns and policy choices at Westminster which have led to increased destitution and marginalisation of those most in need of support), we know people and organisations are already acting to protect the rights first laid down in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights to protect everyone, everywhere. We need to see this groundswell grow and for individuals, public authorities, charities, community groups and businesses across Scotland to work together to protect and promote all our rights for generations to come."