5  Human rights in Scotland: a leading light

The Scottish Government has a clear commitment to human rights which underpins the agenda for dignity, fairness and equality within Scottish society. Box 6 outlines this commitment.

The National Action Plan for Human Rights (SNAP) launched on International Human Rights Day in 10 December 2013 is a clear demonstration of this commitment.

SNAP was the first national action plan for human rights in any part of the UK. It considered experiences of countries all over the world and received guidance from the UN and the Council of Europe. It was an evidence-based action plan setting out outcomes and priorities, initially for the period 2013–2017. During that time SNAP coordinated action by a wide range of public bodies and voluntary organisations. Work is now underway on Scotland’s second National Action Plan for Human Rights, SNAP 2.

Figure 6The logo of the Scottish National Action Plan

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Figure 6 shows the logo of the Scottish National Action Plan.

Figure 6The logo of the Scottish National Action Plan

The commitment to respecting and developing human rights as a cornerstone of the culture of Scotland (not just the legal culture) is clear as Parliament, government, other public bodies, charities and the private sector all work towards achieving the vision of a Scotland where everyone can live with human dignity, where social justice, equality and empowerment are the hallmarks of our society.

You should now watch the following video, which explores the national action plan for Scotland a little further.

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Transcript: Video 4 Scottish National Action Plan for Human Rights

[MUSIC PLAYING]

NARRATOR

The Scottish Human Rights Commission was established in 2008 and promotes and protects the human rights of everyone living in Scotland. Over the past three years, the Commission has reviewed a wide range of research on the realisation of human rights in Scotland. The gaps in good practises identified in research will be addressed by developing Scotland's national action plan for human rights.

MATT SMITH

Human rights are the basic rights and freedoms to which all of us are entitled. They allow us to live a life of dignity and require to be recognised for each of us. Over the past three years, the Commission has been considering human rights in Scotland. That has allowed us to identify gaps and to identify good practise.

The research has brought out some interesting questions for us. It does indicate that human rights are not in a vacuum, that the impact on people each and every day and that decisions are taken affecting people's human rights, whether it be in courts, in classrooms, in care homes, right throughout their everyday lives in Scotland. This research is important to identify shortfalls in attaining human rights for people in Scotland to ensure that those human rights, which may well be there in statute, are actually there in reality for people. And it's closing that gap that we've spent so much of this time researching.

ALISON HOSIE

And in scoping the gaps and good practises in human rights protection, we looked at human rights across eight themes of life in Scotland. They were dignity and care, health, where we live, education and work, private and family life, safety and security, living in detention, and access to justice and the right to an effective remedy.

To give an idea of the types of issues that are covered within the report, on the topic of where we live, evidence suggests that the right to adequate housing, the rights of those living in rural areas, and the lived experience of where Scottish gypsy travellers live were major areas of concern for individuals and their communities, third sector organisations, as well as the agencies that deliver services.

Affordability, disparity in access to services, fuel poverty and discrimination can all be seen through a lens of human rights. And it's easy to see actually how human rights impacts on every area of our lives. As we undertook this project, we also spoke to a range of people across Scotland about their experiences of human rights, some of them in very difficult situations, and here's what they said.

WOMAN 1

Are you going to be treated worse because you've said you're a gypsy traveller? Are you going to be treated better or worse? You've got this attitude because you have been harassed all your life [INAUDIBLE]. Services with authority I've never trusted and I still don't trust.

WOMAN 2

I asked, I don't know how many times, for social work to help and intervene with my son. You could see he was having problems dealing with the aftermath of what happened, but no, the [INAUDIBLE] had come from school or another agency. It couldn't come from me. Then I was saying, please help us. We need help now.

NARRATOR

Scotland's National Action Plan for Human Rights could help to end the inconsistencies and provide a more systematic approach. By developing a National Action Plan with involvement from those who deliver public services, as well as those whose human rights should be protected, the Commission hopes to show the potential to deliver real and sustainable improvements for everyone, especially the most marginalised people in Scotland.

ALAN MILLER

I think that in terms of Scotland's laws and institutions, by and large, Scotland can be quite pleased with the progress it has made. Equally in some areas of policy and strategy, again, there are positive developments that have taken place. But where Scotland can't be complacent is that these laws and policies aren't actually being implemented and impacting on people's living experience in the way that we think they are and should be. That's where the inconsistency is taking place and that's where Scotland can progress a lot more and do that a lot better.

So the point of coming to the conclusion that we need to assure and not assume that rights are actually being realised in everyday life - decisions about health care, social care, access to justice, housing - in order to assure that these rights are recognised and fulfilled in everyday experience, Scotland needs a National Action Plan for human rights.

This action plan will be shaped in a very inclusive and participatory way, based on facts, on evidence, and coming to an agreement as to what are the priorities. What needs to be done, by who, how, over what realistic timeline, and in the economic constraints that we all have to recognise today and indeed over the next few years.

The United Nations has recommended to all countries that they develop National Action Plans. Where this has been done successfully in other countries, such as New Zealand, Australia, Sweden, Finland, it has been found there are real positive outcomes for people in their everyday life.

MATT SMITH

To make Scotland's National Action Plan effective, we need your help. Those whose rights are affected. Those with responsibilities.

As part of our consultation, we have two key questions. What do you think are the key gaps in the realisation of human rights in Scotland? What do you think would be the most effective and achievable way of addressing these gaps? We appreciate everyone's input and you can get involved between now and the end of March, 2013.

[MUSIC PLAYING]

End transcript: Video 4 Scottish National Action Plan for Human Rights

Video 4 Scottish National Action Plan for Human Rights

Should you wish to learn more about SNAP, or read the plans for SNAP and SNAP 2, information can be found at http://www.snaprights.info/ [Tip: hold Ctrl and click a link to open it in a new tab. (Hide tip)]