HUMAN rights in Scotland are being threatened by “watered-down” UK Government legislation, according to a new report sent to the United Nations.
The submission by the Scottish Human Rights Commission has issued a warning over Tory plans to create a new Bill of Rights to replace current laws.
The “report card” to the UN notes that the plans will result in risks to legal protection for people’s rights in Scotland.
It also means the UK Government is disregarding its own independent review on human rights legislation, as well as opposition including from the Scottish Parliament, Scottish Government and civil society groups, the Commission said.
READ MORE: Anne McLaughlin: UK Government must halt their assault on our rights
The report also examines how rights are being protected in practice across Scotland and highlights concerns in several areas, including a failure to meet targets in relation to the mental health of children and young people.
The Commission has recommended the Scottish Government strengthens efforts to reduce all aspects of poverty, pointing out it is still not on track to meet child poverty targets.
Concerns are also raised around human rights in Scottish prisons, highlighting issues such as overcrowding, the use of restraints and strip searching of adults and young people.
The report has been submitted to the UN in advance of its Human Rights Council Review of the UK, set to take place in November.
Dr Anna Black, a GP and Commissioner at the Scottish Human Rights Commission, said: “Our latest comprehensive review heard from a wide range of people living and working in communities across Scotland.
“Their evidence, and our own research, makes clear that Scotland still has some way to go before we can confidently claim that human rights are a reality in everyone’s lives.
READ MORE: Scottish Human Rights Commission: 'Retain the Human Rights Act in its current form’
“Our recommendations to the Scottish Government would help to close this implementation gap in a number of key areas and we urge the Scottish Government to act on the issues we have highlighted.”
She added: “We remain extremely concerned about the risks to legal protection for people’s rights in Scotland if the UK Government moves ahead with its proposals to replace the Human Rights Act with a watered-down Bill of Rights.
“We have now highlighted this to the UN, as the Human Rights Council prepares for its November review of the UK’s human rights performance.”
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