12 December 2018

Human Rights Day marked the 70th anniversary of the signing of the UN Declaration of Human Rights.

Join @ScotParl and @NicolaSturgeon for a celebration of 70 years of #HumanRights Monday from 10.30am. Grab a ticket for the Chamber https://t.co/nJsdHNIgRb, watch on Facebook Live https://t.co/6ZS5152f6i, or ask a question to the panel at #rightstakeover pic.twitter.com/toaTLTZor2

— EHRiC Committee (@SP_EHRiC) December 7, 2018

The First Minister’s Advisory Group on Human Rights Leadership published their final report, with seven recommendations to ensure Scotland is an international leader in building a rights-based society.

The group presented the report to First Minister Nicola Sturgeon at Bute House at the start of Human Rights Day.

The First Minister's Advisory Group on Human Rights Leadership presented their final report to FM @NicolaSturgeon on #HumanRightsDay. A new taskforce will be set up to take forward the recommendations: https://t.co/hqNXstMWcl #StandUp4HumanRights pic.twitter.com/tw5H43MO9V

— First Minister (@ScotGovFM) December 10, 2018

The First Minister announced a taskforce will be set up to take forward recommendations from the Advisory Group.

She said:

I set up the Advisory Group to offer advice on how we can further enhance human rights, as
I wanted to ensure Brexit does not harm human rights in Scotland and that we remain in step with future advances in EU human rights. I also asked for recommendations to ensure Scotland is an international leader in respecting and enhancing human rights.

“I share the ambition in this report that Scotland should introduce a human rights statutory framework and I support their recommendation that this should be done through public engagement, working across the public sector, civic society and parliament. As a first step I will establish a National Taskforce, early in 2019, to progress these plans.

“It is fitting that the report is published as we celebrate Human Rights Day and the 70th anniversary of the signing the UN Declaration of Human Rights. I would like to thank Professor Alan Miller and all members of the group for their work and hope they continue to support efforts to deliver the human rights that will improve lives.”

She then spoke at the Scottish Parliament’s Human Rights Day Take Over event.

First Minister @NicolaSturgeon addressed @ScotParl as part of the @SP_EHRiC's #RightsTakeOver on #HumanRightsDay pic.twitter.com/Lfrljo4ddW

— First Minister (@ScotGovFM) December 10, 2018