Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament 10 December 2013
10 Dec 2013 · S4 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
Human Rights
We would be looking at exactly the kinds of rights that most countries in Europe and the wider world regard as human rights. I do not want to disappoint Jenny Marra by suggesting that we are going to come up with a completely different set of human rights. We will work with, and build on, what we already have.
The First Minister has spoken of the potential to go even further than the ECHR does and to consider how we might embed economic, social and cultural rights within a constitution for Scotland. Those matters could be considered by a constitutional convention that would be set up after independence to prepare the permanent written constitution.
Such a move would accord with the Scottish Government’s existing approach—our abolition of tuition fees and legislation on homelessness are just two examples in which we have demonstrated our commitment—but it would also accord with the broader social democratic consensus in Scotland and our collective commitment to the common weal.
Those are interesting subjects for wider debate—a debate that would probably continue on into the development of any constitution.
Members will all be familiar with Eleanor Roosevelt’s oft-quoted remarks that human rights begin
“In small places, close to home—so close and so small that they cannot be seen on any maps of the world … Unless these rights have meaning there, they have little meaning anywhere.”
It is key that we ensure that those fundamental legal principles translate into real life experiences, which accords with the Government’s approach.
Across the Scottish Government’s various responsibilities, we are working to realise the rights of the people of Scotland. I will give a few examples. We have introduced legislation to ensure that our criminal justice system has human rights at its heart. We are working to embed human rights in the integration of healthcare and social care. Our commitment to equality and non-discrimination is supported by the provision of over £20 million to realise the rights of communities. We are committed to progressing implementation of the “United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child”, which includes the introduction of dedicated children’s rights legislation for the first time. We are also taking action to mitigate the worst impacts of the United Kingdom Government’s welfare reforms.
There has been a step change in Scotland’s Government’s approach to international engagement. The placing of human rights at the heart of our international framework, the championing of climate justice at home and abroad, our international development programme to support the aspirations of the developing world and a greater focus on engagement with the UN human rights system all demonstrate our commitment to acting as a modern responsible nation, and to supporting the realisation of human rights across the world and in the developing world.
Part of that role involves promoting Scotland’s values internationally. The First Minister delivered a significant speech in China recently highlighting the launch of the national action plan and outlining the importance of participation in the UN human rights system—a speech that Amnesty International described as “an important first step”.
In 2014, there will be a further opportunity to showcase our values, with the advent of the Commonwealth games and the eyes of the world being on Scotland. I am certain that the world will be left in no doubt about the values of Scotland and the Commonwealth games, or about our collective commitment to humanity, equality and destiny.
It will come as no surprise that I believe that with independence we would gain the levers to give further effect to our international human rights obligations domestically, and that we would play a more active role as a responsible nation on the world stage. Scotland’s first national action plan for human rights recognises that Scotland is at a particular stage in her journey and that there is more to be done, whether it be through building a rights-based culture, tackling the continued injustices in Scottish society or playing our part as a responsible actor globally.
The aspiration to create a country where everyone lives with human dignity is one that we can all support. Although we may have interesting debates about particular aspects of it, what we are all trying to achieve is a unified end.
The First Minister has spoken of the potential to go even further than the ECHR does and to consider how we might embed economic, social and cultural rights within a constitution for Scotland. Those matters could be considered by a constitutional convention that would be set up after independence to prepare the permanent written constitution.
Such a move would accord with the Scottish Government’s existing approach—our abolition of tuition fees and legislation on homelessness are just two examples in which we have demonstrated our commitment—but it would also accord with the broader social democratic consensus in Scotland and our collective commitment to the common weal.
Those are interesting subjects for wider debate—a debate that would probably continue on into the development of any constitution.
Members will all be familiar with Eleanor Roosevelt’s oft-quoted remarks that human rights begin
“In small places, close to home—so close and so small that they cannot be seen on any maps of the world … Unless these rights have meaning there, they have little meaning anywhere.”
It is key that we ensure that those fundamental legal principles translate into real life experiences, which accords with the Government’s approach.
Across the Scottish Government’s various responsibilities, we are working to realise the rights of the people of Scotland. I will give a few examples. We have introduced legislation to ensure that our criminal justice system has human rights at its heart. We are working to embed human rights in the integration of healthcare and social care. Our commitment to equality and non-discrimination is supported by the provision of over £20 million to realise the rights of communities. We are committed to progressing implementation of the “United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child”, which includes the introduction of dedicated children’s rights legislation for the first time. We are also taking action to mitigate the worst impacts of the United Kingdom Government’s welfare reforms.
There has been a step change in Scotland’s Government’s approach to international engagement. The placing of human rights at the heart of our international framework, the championing of climate justice at home and abroad, our international development programme to support the aspirations of the developing world and a greater focus on engagement with the UN human rights system all demonstrate our commitment to acting as a modern responsible nation, and to supporting the realisation of human rights across the world and in the developing world.
Part of that role involves promoting Scotland’s values internationally. The First Minister delivered a significant speech in China recently highlighting the launch of the national action plan and outlining the importance of participation in the UN human rights system—a speech that Amnesty International described as “an important first step”.
In 2014, there will be a further opportunity to showcase our values, with the advent of the Commonwealth games and the eyes of the world being on Scotland. I am certain that the world will be left in no doubt about the values of Scotland and the Commonwealth games, or about our collective commitment to humanity, equality and destiny.
It will come as no surprise that I believe that with independence we would gain the levers to give further effect to our international human rights obligations domestically, and that we would play a more active role as a responsible nation on the world stage. Scotland’s first national action plan for human rights recognises that Scotland is at a particular stage in her journey and that there is more to be done, whether it be through building a rights-based culture, tackling the continued injustices in Scottish society or playing our part as a responsible actor globally.
The aspiration to create a country where everyone lives with human dignity is one that we can all support. Although we may have interesting debates about particular aspects of it, what we are all trying to achieve is a unified end.
In the same item of business
The Presiding Officer (Tricia Marwick)
NPA
The next item of business is a debate on motion S4M-08544, in the name of Roseanna Cunningham, on human rights.14:38
The Minister for Community Safety and Legal Affairs (Roseanna Cunningham)
SNP
Today marks the launch of “Scotland’s National Action Plan for Human Rights: 2013-2017”—Scotland’s first national action plan for human rights—and I am delig...
Jenny Marra (North East Scotland) (Lab)
Lab
I ask the minister for clarification on that point. Would an independent Scotland take the Human Rights Act 1998 and embed it in the Scottish constitution or...
Roseanna Cunningham
SNP
We would be looking at exactly the kinds of rights that most countries in Europe and the wider world regard as human rights. I do not want to disappoint Jenn...
Stewart Stevenson (Banffshire and Buchan Coast) (SNP)
SNP
Would the minister care to commend Mary Robinson—who is a former President of a small country: Ireland—for her significant contribution to human rights in re...
Roseanna Cunningham
SNP
I am sure that Stewart Stevenson would expect me to endorse that, as I have met Mary Robinson and know the huge impact that she had internationally—not just ...
Jenny Marra (North East Scotland) (Lab)
Lab
It is particularly appropriate that we gather in the chamber today on international human rights day, and on a day that is marked by such a momentous occasio...
Sandra White (Glasgow Kelvin) (SNP)
SNP
I thank Jenny Marra for taking an intervention. I know of her interest in the subject. When I was a member of the Equal Opportunities Committee we inquired i...
Jenny Marra
Lab
I got the numbers from the Minister for Public Health, Michael Matheson, who said just a few weeks ago in the chamber that 3,000 women are at risk in Scotlan...
Jean Urquhart (Highlands and Islands) (Ind)
Ind
I think that everybody will agree with what Jenny Marra said about the crime that she has described. However, forced marriages are still happening in Scotlan...
Jenny Marra
Lab
Presiding Officer, can I have a little more time to address that?
The Presiding Officer
NPA
I will tell you when you should stop.
Jenny Marra
Lab
Thank you.We have lodged our amendment because I do not believe that FGM is specifically mentioned in the human rights strategy and, given recent press repor...
Alex Johnstone (North East Scotland) (Con)
Con
I welcome the publication of the national action plan for human rights. There is certainly a strong element of consensus on the topic across the chamber and—...
John Finnie (Highlands and Islands) (Ind)
Ind
About 15 years ago, the Northern Constabulary issued a book to young people about knowing your rights when dealing with the police. Is it not a positive thin...
Alex Johnstone
Con
It is, of course, positive that that sort of thing happens, but we must remember that we have to take the public along with us. If we concentrate merely on t...
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Elaine Smith)
Lab
Conclude, please, Mr Johnstone.
Alex Johnstone
Con
As we come to the end of the opening speeches, I look forward to an in-depth discussion about the action plan, and to summing up at the end of the debate.15:03
Jamie Hepburn (Cumbernauld and Kilsyth) (SNP)
SNP
It is right to have the debate on this, the 65th anniversary of the signing of “The Universal Declaration of Human Rights”. As the minister said, it is appos...
Malcolm Chisholm (Edinburgh Northern and Leith) (Lab)
Lab
It is particularly important that we are debating Scotland’s first human rights action plan on international human rights day and the day on which we remembe...
Alison McInnes (North East Scotland) (LD)
LD
I join colleagues in celebrating international human rights day and in welcoming the publication of Scotland’s national action plan on human rights. I pay tr...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
Lab
I remind members to use full names when they are referring to colleagues.15:15
John Finnie (Highlands and Islands) (Ind)
Ind
First, I congratulate the Scottish Human Rights Commission on the publication of its national action plan. It is significant that it had Scottish Government ...
Alex Johnstone
Con
It should be made clear that in what has been an interesting if short debate we will not have time to raise a number of points. Nevertheless, as John Finnie ...
Elaine Murray (Dumfriesshire) (Lab)
Lab
I am pleased to close for Scottish Labour in this short but important debate on Scotland’s national action plan for human rights and concur with members’ com...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
Lab
Before I call Roseanna Cunningham to respond to the debate, I advise members that this afternoon’s debates are on a follow-on basis. I remind members who wis...
Roseanna Cunningham
SNP
It is amazing how wide a variety of views can be encompassed even in a short debate such as this. Practically all the speeches have been constructive in addr...
Jenny Marra
Lab
Will the minister commit to voting tonight for a strategy on female genital mutilation?
Roseanna Cunningham
SNP
I will come to the Labour amendment later in my speech.The Government has enjoyed a productive, constructive relationship with the commission on a wide range...
Malcolm Chisholm
Lab
I am very sorry to hear what the minister is saying. Does she understand that Jenny Marra’s addendum accepts all the wording of the minister’s motion, but th...