Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament 08 December 2022
08 Dec 2022 · S6 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
International Human Rights Days
If the Conservatives truly support the principles for which this Parliament unanimously voted, I challenge them to call on their Tory colleagues at Westminster to incorporate the UNCRC into UK law, ensuring that every child across these islands has the full protection that this Parliament wants for children and young people in Scotland. [Interruption.] I say to Rachael Hamilton that this is not funny—it is incredibly serious. Her party has the power to take this forward. Instead of challenging the Scottish Parliament’s decisions, it could have worked with this Parliament to ensure incorporation across these islands.
This really is a tale of two Governments. We need only contrast the actions of the UK Government with the Scottish Government’s forthcoming human rights bill.
In the same item of business
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Annabelle Ewing)
SNP
The next item of business is a debate on motion S6M-07133, in the name of Christina McKelvie, on international human rights days. I invite members who wish t...
The Minister for Equalities and Older People (Christina McKelvie)
SNP
I am pleased to open today’s debate marking international human rights day and the international day of human rights defenders. The dates of 9 and 10 Decemb...
Alex Cole-Hamilton (Edinburgh Western) (LD)
LD
It is now more than a year since the United Kingdom Supreme Court identified the changes that were required to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of...
Christina McKelvie
SNP
I reassure Alex Cole-Hamilton that we remain absolutely committed to incorporating the UNCRC into Scots law, as far as that is possible within devolved compe...
Stephen Kerr (Central Scotland) (Con)
Con
Will the minister take an intervention?
Christina McKelvie
SNP
No, thank you. I will carry on, because I think that we are pretty tight for time. I might take an intervention from Mr Kerr at another point. The Scottish ...
Stephen Kerr
Con
The minister knows that the Scottish Government is the only Government in the United Kingdom to have been taken to court for violation of human rights. That ...
Christina McKelvie
SNP
I hold faith and belief in my portfolio and meet regularly with faith and belief leaders as part of my work. I emphasise to Stephen Kerr that this Government...
Stephen Kerr
Con
On a point of order, Presiding Officer. When I asked my innocent question earlier, I forgot to refer members to my entry in the register of members’ interest...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
SNP
Thank you, Mr Kerr. That will be noted and is now on the record. I advise members that we have time in hand this afternoon. I thought that I should point th...
Rachael Hamilton (Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire) (Con)
Con
Around the world there are, sadly, still so many examples of human rights abuses and violations happening every single day. Today, I will speak about just th...
Karen Adam (Banffshire and Buchan Coast) (SNP)
SNP
Will the member take an intervention?
Rachael Hamilton
Con
Perhaps Karen Adam knows the point that I am about to make. Let us make this debate about the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (Incorpora...
Karen Adam
SNP
I thank Rachael Hamilton for taking my intervention. Has she noted the Scottish Human Rights Commission’s comments on the Bill of Rights Bill?
Rachael Hamilton
Con
Yes. The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (Incorporation) (Scotland) Bill would protect children’s human rights and was passed by the en...
Alex Cole-Hamilton (Edinburgh Western) (LD)
LD
Does Rachael Hamilton agree that the revelation—which was withheld from members—that the Scottish Government was told by officials that that bill might be ou...
Rachael Hamilton
Con
I completely agree with Alex Cole-Hamilton’s comments, which are supported by Bruce Adamson—the Children and Young People’s Commissioner—and others, who are ...
Pam Duncan-Glancy (Glasgow) (Lab)
Lab
This Saturday is human rights day—a day that is always special, but which is especially so this year, which is the 75th anniversary of the United Nations Uni...
Alex Cole-Hamilton (Edinburgh Western) (LD)
LD
I am grateful to Christina McKelvie for lodging the motion. In 1948, with the memories of genocide and the atrocities of the Nazis still fresh in their cons...
Martin Whitfield (South Scotland) (Lab)
Lab
Does the member agree that one of the tragedies in relation to the UNCRC is that we are no clearer about the discussions on the amendments that are taking pl...
Alex Cole-Hamilton
LD
I entirely agree with Martin Whitfield. It is surprising that a Government that in previous years has been so vehement and passionate about children’s rights...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
SNP
We move to the open debate. 16:00
Joe FitzPatrick (Dundee City West) (SNP)
SNP
Earlier this week, the Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee heard from the Scottish Human Rights Commission on, among other things, the UK Go...
Rachael Hamilton
Con
Given that Mr FitzPatrick is so passionate about the issue, can he tell those of us in the chamber who are desperate to know when incorporation is going to h...
Joe FitzPatrick
SNP
If the Conservatives truly support the principles for which this Parliament unanimously voted, I challenge them to call on their Tory colleagues at Westminst...
Alex Cole-Hamilton
LD
Will the member give way?
Joe FitzPatrick
SNP
I have to make a bit of progress. As the minister has set out, the bill will, as far as possible within devolved competence, seek to incorporate into Scots ...
Stephen Kerr
Con
Will the member take an intervention?
Joe FitzPatrick
SNP
I have to make progress. If the Presiding Officer says there is time, then perhaps.
The Deputy Presiding Officer
SNP
As you have prayed the Presiding Officer in aid, I can say that there is a bit of time in hand this afternoon. Of course, it is up to each member whether the...