This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Human Rights Commission
10/12/2001
A Human Rights Commission for Scotland it to be created
to help build a genuine human rights culture in the
country.
Justice Minister Jim Wallace made the announcement today
during a speech to teachers and pupils at Gourock High
School at the launch of Inverclyde Education Authority's
Human Rights Charter.
He explained that the Commission will be established as
an independent body to focus on a number of key functions.
These are:
- promotion, education and awareness raising
- guidance to public authorities
- providing advice to the Scottish Parliament on
legislation after introduction
- monitoring and reporting on law and practice
- investigation and reporting on human rights issues
in relation to public policy
"Human rights are based on common values we can all
share and believe in and the decision to establish a
Commission demonstrates the Executive's commitment to
building a genuine human rights culture in Scotland," Mr
Wallace said.
We want to see human rights become an integral part of
our culture, part of our daily lives. I believe a
Commission will help foster a culture that will draw on the
importance of responsibilities as well as rights and
promote a better and more complete understanding of the
European Convention on Human Rights. Since devolution,
there has been much focus on litigation. I would like to
see this balanced by education, guidance and awareness
raising and the independent Commission will be able to do
this.
"The creation of this Commission reflects the
arrangements that many other countries already have in
place. Scotland will now be taking its place alongside
these other countries in demonstrating publicly its
commitment to human rights."
The Human Rights Charter for Inverclyde was produced
after Professor Alan Miller was asked to look at how the
education authority could ensure its human rights
compliance. The Charter aims to foster the value of rights
and responsibilities in Inverclyde schools and it will be
up to each school how they choose to comply with the
principles it sets out.
Mr Wallace said:
"I would like to commend the commitment and foresight of
Inverclyde Education Authority in commissioning this work.
I am also impressed by the inclusive approach taken in
Inverclyde - ensuring the involvement of pupils, parents
and teachers - those who will work with the charter on a
daily basis.
"This means the charter is not just another policy
document to be adhered to but hopefully something that has
real meaning and will fire the imagination of the teachers
and pupils tasked with taking it forward.
"The Charter drawn up by Inverclyde, which draws on the
rights set out in the European Convention on Human Rights
and the Human Rights Act, clearly demonstrates the
relevance and immediacy of human rights to our daily life
in Scotland."