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Every contribution to the Official Report — chamber and committee — searchable in one place. Pulled from data.parliament.scot, indexed for full-text search, linked through to every MSP.

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1999–2026
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Showing 60 of 2,354,908 contributions. Latest 30 days: 0. Coverage: 12 May 1999 — 25 Mar 2026.
Karen Adam SNP Committee
07 Nov 2023
United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (Incorporation) (Scotland) Bill: Reconsideration Stage
Good morning, cabinet secretary and officials. On that point, on Friday, I had 19 primary school children in my constituency office, and it was inspiring. We should listen more to the clarity of children’s words. Some witnesses have suggested that, over time, more legislation...
Karen Adam (Banffshire and Buchan Coast) (SNP) SNP Chamber
27 Jun 2023
United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (Incorporation) (Scotland) Bill (Reconsideration)
Alan Miller, who was the founding chair of the Scottish Human Rights Commission has said: “Scotland’s human rights journey has ... been marked by an increasing ambition and internationalism ... as evidenced in the unanimous vote in the Parliament for the ... UNCRC ... Bill.” ...
The Convener (Karen Adam) SNP Committee
30 Sep 2025
Children (Withdrawal from Religious Education and Amendment of UNCRC Compatibility Duty) (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1
Good morning, and welcome to the 21st meeting in 2025, in session 6, of the Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee. Agenda item 1 is our first evidence session on the Children (Withdrawal from Religious Education and Amendment of UNCRC Compatibility Duty) (Scotla...
The Convener SNP Committee
30 Sep 2025
Children (Withdrawal from Religious Education and Amendment of UNCRC Compatibility Duty) (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1
I welcome to the meeting our third panel of witnesses. We are joined in person by Dr Conor Hill and Melissa Murray, both of whom are lecturers in law at Glasgow Caledonian University; Professor Angela O’Hagan, chair, and Caitlin Fitzgerald, legal and policy co-ordinator, UNCRC...
The Convener SNP Committee
07 Oct 2025
Children (Withdrawal from Religious Education and Amendment of UNCRC Compatibility Duty) (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1
Our next agenda item is taking evidence on the Children (Withdrawal from Religious Education and Amendment of UNCRC Compatibility Duty) (Scotland) Bill. This is our second evidence session on the bill, and this morning we will hear from two panels of witnesses. I welcome our ...
The Convener SNP Committee
07 Oct 2025
Children (Withdrawal from Religious Education and Amendment of UNCRC Compatibility Duty) (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1
We are going to move on to discuss part 2 of the bill. However, before we do that, what is your opinion on the fact that part of the bill amends the Education Act 1980, which is a UK act, and it will not be possible to challenge a breach of the amendments under the 2024 act, a...
The Convener SNP Committee
28 Oct 2025
Children (Withdrawal from Religious Education and Amendment of UNCRC Compatibility Duty) (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1
Under item 2, the committee will hold its final evidence session on the Children (Withdrawal from Religious Education and Amendment of UNCRC Compatibility Duty) (Scotland) Bill. I welcome Jenny Gilruth, the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills. She is accompanied by Lewi...
The Convener (Karen Adam) SNP Committee
16 Dec 2025
Children (Withdrawal from Religious Education and Amendment of UNCRC Compatibility Duty) (Scotland) Bill: Stage 2
Good morning and welcome to the 30th meeting in 2025 of the Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee in session 6. We have received no apologies this morning. Our first and only agenda item is stage 2 consideration of the Children (Withdrawal from Religious Educa...
Karen Adam SNP Chamber
25 Nov 2025
Children (Withdrawal from Religious Education and Amendment of UNCRC Compatibility Duty) (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1
It is not a committee bill—it is a Scottish Government bill. We had a great deal of discussion on the age at which a child could have capacity, but the majority of us decided that teachers deal with such things all the time and have to make those kinds of decisions. Another...
Karen Adam (Banffshire and Buchan Coast) (SNP) SNP Chamber
17 Feb 2026
Children (Withdrawal from Religious Education and Amendment of UNCRC Compatibility Duty) (Scotland) Bill
The bill is about children’s rights showing up in the real world—in the school day and in the decisions that adults make that can change how a young person experiences their education.Parents have had a long-standing right to withdraw a child from religious observance. The bil...
Karen Adam (Banffshire and Buchan Coast) (SNP) SNP Committee
31 Oct 2023
United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (Incorporation) (Scotland) Bill: Reconsideration Stage
Good morning to the witnesses. As you are all probably aware, the Scottish Government has plans to introduce a Scottish human rights bill, which will incorporate four international human rights treaties into law. Dr Andrew Tickell, who will join us as part of the second panel ...
Karen Adam SNP Committee
31 Oct 2023
United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (Incorporation) (Scotland) Bill: Reconsideration Stage
I have nothing more on that, convener. It was really helpful. I do have another question, though. Given that this is our only evidence-taking session on the UNCRC bill, I just want to ask you—I will ask the second panel this, too—whether you feel that that is enough for us as...
Karen Adam SNP Committee
31 Oct 2023
United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (Incorporation) (Scotland) Bill: Reconsideration Stage
I asked the first panel a specific question about the Scottish Government’s plans to introduce new human rights law based on four international human rights treaties. I mentioned you, Dr Tickell, as you have flagged up a concern that that might cause difficulties similar to th...
Karen Adam SNP Committee
07 Nov 2023
United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (Incorporation) (Scotland) Bill: Reconsideration Stage
Staying on the theme of incorporation, I am sure that you are aware that the Scottish Government plans to introduce a human rights bill incorporating four international human rights treaties into Scots law. One witness, Dr Tickell, said that the difficulties facing the UNCRC b...
Karen Adam (Banffshire and Buchan Coast) (SNP) SNP Chamber
10 Dec 2024
Human Rights
I ask for members’ patience as I talk with this raspy voice today. It is a pleasure to have the opportunity to speak in the chamber on human rights day. Human rights are often spoken of in grand terms, but at their core, they are about the basics of how we treat one another. ...
The Convener (Karen Adam) SNP Committee
17 Jun 2025
Decisions on Taking Business in Private
Good morning, and welcome to the 16th meeting in 2025, in session 6, of the Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee. We have received no apologies. Under our first agenda item, we will take a decision on whether to take agenda items 5 to 8 in private. Agenda item...
The Convener SNP Committee
30 Sep 2025
Children (Withdrawal from Religious Education and Amendment of UNCRC Compatibility Duty) (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1
Thank you all very much. We will move on to questions from Paul McLennan.
The Convener SNP Committee
30 Sep 2025
Children (Withdrawal from Religious Education and Amendment of UNCRC Compatibility Duty) (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1
Leah Rivka has indicated that she would like to come in as well.
The Convener SNP Committee
30 Sep 2025
Children (Withdrawal from Religious Education and Amendment of UNCRC Compatibility Duty) (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1
Before I bring in Maggie Chapman, Rhoda Grant would like to ask a supplementary question.
The Convener SNP Committee
30 Sep 2025
Children (Withdrawal from Religious Education and Amendment of UNCRC Compatibility Duty) (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1
Before we move on to questions from Rhoda Grant, I just want to say that we had earmarked an hour for this evidence session. We have now hit the hour mark and we still have more questions, so I ask members and witnesses to please be succinct.
The Convener SNP Committee
30 Sep 2025
Children (Withdrawal from Religious Education and Amendment of UNCRC Compatibility Duty) (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1
Thank you very much. That concludes our questions for the first panel. I will suspend the meeting briefly to allow the witnesses to change over. 10:11 Meeting suspended. 10:13 On resuming—
The Convener SNP Committee
30 Sep 2025
Children (Withdrawal from Religious Education and Amendment of UNCRC Compatibility Duty) (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1
Welcome back. I welcome the second panel of witnesses: Dr Alejandro Sanchez is the human rights lead for the National Secular Society and Fraser Sutherland is the chief executive officer of the Humanist Society Scotland. Thank you for joining us. We will move straight to quest...
The Convener SNP Committee
30 Sep 2025
Children (Withdrawal from Religious Education and Amendment of UNCRC Compatibility Duty) (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1
We now have questions from Maggie Chapman.
The Convener SNP Committee
30 Sep 2025
Children (Withdrawal from Religious Education and Amendment of UNCRC Compatibility Duty) (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1
I seek clarification on something that you mentioned, Fraser. You said that you would prefer that RME was not included in the bill, but then you praised RME. The legislation will allow a child to opt in to that.
The Convener SNP Committee
30 Sep 2025
Children (Withdrawal from Religious Education and Amendment of UNCRC Compatibility Duty) (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1
In the first place.
The Convener SNP Committee
30 Sep 2025
Children (Withdrawal from Religious Education and Amendment of UNCRC Compatibility Duty) (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1
Thank you for that clarification.
The Convener SNP Committee
30 Sep 2025
Children (Withdrawal from Religious Education and Amendment of UNCRC Compatibility Duty) (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1
That concludes the evidence session. I thank the witnesses for their participation. We will suspend the meeting briefly to allow for a change of witnesses. 10:48 Meeting suspended. 10:53 On resuming—
The Convener SNP Committee
30 Sep 2025
Children (Withdrawal from Religious Education and Amendment of UNCRC Compatibility Duty) (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1
Absolutely. Professor O’Hagan, can you tell us about your experience of how the right to withdraw currently works in schools?
The Convener SNP Committee
30 Sep 2025
Children (Withdrawal from Religious Education and Amendment of UNCRC Compatibility Duty) (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1
Absolutely. Thank you. 11:00
The Convener SNP Committee
30 Sep 2025
Children (Withdrawal from Religious Education and Amendment of UNCRC Compatibility Duty) (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1
Rachel, would you like to come in?
The Convener SNP Committee
30 Sep 2025
Children (Withdrawal from Religious Education and Amendment of UNCRC Compatibility Duty) (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1
Yes.
The Convener SNP Committee
30 Sep 2025
Children (Withdrawal from Religious Education and Amendment of UNCRC Compatibility Duty) (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1
That was helpful. Thank you. We move to questions from Paul McLennan.
The Convener SNP Committee
30 Sep 2025
Children (Withdrawal from Religious Education and Amendment of UNCRC Compatibility Duty) (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1
We move to questions from Pam Gosal.
The Convener SNP Committee
30 Sep 2025
Children (Withdrawal from Religious Education and Amendment of UNCRC Compatibility Duty) (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1
I think that Rachel Fox would like to say something on that.
The Convener SNP Committee
30 Sep 2025
Children (Withdrawal from Religious Education and Amendment of UNCRC Compatibility Duty) (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1
Would anyone else like to come in on that point?
The Convener SNP Committee
30 Sep 2025
Children (Withdrawal from Religious Education and Amendment of UNCRC Compatibility Duty) (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1
Thank you. We will now move to questions from Maggie Chapman.
The Convener SNP Committee
30 Sep 2025
Children (Withdrawal from Religious Education and Amendment of UNCRC Compatibility Duty) (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1
We will come on to part 2 of the bill and have more time to get into it. Marie McNair has some questions on that. We now have questions from Tess White, still on part 1 of the bill, then we will move to part 2.
The Convener SNP Committee
30 Sep 2025
Children (Withdrawal from Religious Education and Amendment of UNCRC Compatibility Duty) (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1
We move to questions about part 2 of the bill.
The Convener SNP Committee
30 Sep 2025
Children (Withdrawal from Religious Education and Amendment of UNCRC Compatibility Duty) (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1
I think that Caitlin Fitzgerald wants to come in.
The Convener SNP Committee
30 Sep 2025
Children (Withdrawal from Religious Education and Amendment of UNCRC Compatibility Duty) (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1
Are you aware of any evidence that the additional exemption to the compatibility duty is required?
The Convener SNP Committee
30 Sep 2025
Children (Withdrawal from Religious Education and Amendment of UNCRC Compatibility Duty) (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1
That brings our witness session to a close this morning—well, it is afternoon now. Thank you all for attending. We will now move into private to discuss the remaining items on our agenda. 12:17 Meeting continued in private until 12:33.
The Convener SNP Committee
07 Oct 2025
Children (Withdrawal from Religious Education and Amendment of UNCRC Compatibility Duty) (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1
We will move to questions from Maggie Chapman.
The Convener SNP Committee
07 Oct 2025
Children (Withdrawal from Religious Education and Amendment of UNCRC Compatibility Duty) (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1
I appreciate the dry and technical nature of the points that the witnesses have made today, but it is important that we get them on the record. I say to Gina Wilson that, if she wants to send us the amendments that she referred to, we would appreciate it, as it would allow us ...
The Convener SNP Committee
07 Oct 2025
Children (Withdrawal from Religious Education and Amendment of UNCRC Compatibility Duty) (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1
That brings our first session to a close. I thank all our witnesses for attending. I will suspend the meeting briefly to allow a changeover of witnesses. 10:41 Meeting suspended.   10:45 On resuming—
The Convener SNP Committee
07 Oct 2025
Children (Withdrawal from Religious Education and Amendment of UNCRC Compatibility Duty) (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1
I welcome our second panel of witnesses. Dr Douglas Hutchison is executive director of education at Glasgow City Council and is representing the Association of Directors of Education in Scotland, and Susan Quinn is the convener of the education committee at the Educational Ins...
The Convener SNP Committee
07 Oct 2025
Children (Withdrawal from Religious Education and Amendment of UNCRC Compatibility Duty) (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1
We have questions from Marie McNair, who is joining us remotely.
The Convener SNP Committee
07 Oct 2025
Children (Withdrawal from Religious Education and Amendment of UNCRC Compatibility Duty) (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1
That concludes our questions. Thank you once again for joining us. We will discuss the remaining items on our agenda in private. 11:32 Meeting continued in private until 12:23.
The Convener SNP Committee
28 Oct 2025
Children (Withdrawal from Religious Education and Amendment of UNCRC Compatibility Duty) (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1
As you said in your opening statement, we have heard from a wide range of witnesses in the past few weeks. For various reasons, they have been quite critical of the bill. What is your response to that? Can you give those witnesses any assurances that the bill, in its current f...
The Convener SNP Committee
28 Oct 2025
Children (Withdrawal from Religious Education and Amendment of UNCRC Compatibility Duty) (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1
We will now have questions from Pam Gosal.
The Convener SNP Committee
28 Oct 2025
Children (Withdrawal from Religious Education and Amendment of UNCRC Compatibility Duty) (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1
We now go back to questions from Paul McLennan.
The Convener SNP Committee
28 Oct 2025
Children (Withdrawal from Religious Education and Amendment of UNCRC Compatibility Duty) (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1
Before we move on to part 2 of the bill, I ask whether members are content that they have asked everything that they wish to ask on part 1. Members can always come in at the end, but I want to ensure that we have finished with questions on part 1 and that we make a distinction...
The Convener SNP Committee
28 Oct 2025
Children (Withdrawal from Religious Education and Amendment of UNCRC Compatibility Duty) (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1
Cabinet secretary, some witnesses have suggested that part 2 of the bill is so distinct and different from part 1 that it should not be in the bill. What are your views on that?
The Convener SNP Committee
28 Oct 2025
Children (Withdrawal from Religious Education and Amendment of UNCRC Compatibility Duty) (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1
If members are content that they have asked everything that they wish to, that concludes our questions. I thank the cabinet secretary for joining us this morning. That brings the public part of our meeting to a conclusion. We will now move into private session to consider the...
Karen Adam (Banffshire and Buchan Coast) (SNP) SNP Chamber
25 Nov 2025
Children (Withdrawal from Religious Education and Amendment of UNCRC Compatibility Duty) (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1
I welcome the opportunity to speak on the bill in my capacity as convener of the Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee. It is a short bill with two main purposes. On the face of it, it appears to be quite limited in scope and, to some extent, it was presented t...
Karen Adam SNP Chamber
25 Nov 2025
Children (Withdrawal from Religious Education and Amendment of UNCRC Compatibility Duty) (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1
I will come to that point in my speech. The difference between religious observance and religious and moral education did come up in committee.
Karen Adam SNP Chamber
25 Nov 2025
Children (Withdrawal from Religious Education and Amendment of UNCRC Compatibility Duty) (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1
We did not doubt that withdrawal is happening—there is evidence that it is. I was referring to the specific and particular data that we wanted to see in order to know and understand the issue a bit better. We have asked the Scottish Government to look into providing us with th...
The Convener SNP Committee
02 Dec 2025
Scottish Human Rights Commission
I will come in to ask about the expectations and perhaps priorities of the Scottish Government on human rights, particularly going into the next session. We cannot escape the fact that, while we are—rightly—focusing on the Scottish Government and this Parliament, we are a devo...
The Convener SNP Committee
16 Dec 2025
Children (Withdrawal from Religious Education and Amendment of UNCRC Compatibility Duty) (Scotland) Bill: Stage 2
Amendment 9, in the name of Maggie Chapman, is grouped with amendments 9A, 10 to 14, 20, 15 to 17, 44 and 19.
The Convener SNP Committee
16 Dec 2025
Children (Withdrawal from Religious Education and Amendment of UNCRC Compatibility Duty) (Scotland) Bill: Stage 2
I draw members’ attention to the procedural information in relation to the amendments in this group, as is set out in the groupings. I call Tess White to move amendment 9A and to speak to all amendments in the group.
The Convener SNP Committee
16 Dec 2025
Children (Withdrawal from Religious Education and Amendment of UNCRC Compatibility Duty) (Scotland) Bill: Stage 2
I call Maggie Chapman to wind up.
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Committee

Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee 07 November 2023

07 Nov 2023 · S6 · Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee
Item of business
United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (Incorporation) (Scotland) Bill: Reconsideration Stage
Adam, Karen SNP Banffshire and Buchan Coast Watch on SPTV
Good morning, cabinet secretary and officials. On that point, on Friday, I had 19 primary school children in my constituency office, and it was inspiring. We should listen more to the clarity of children’s words. Some witnesses have suggested that, over time, more legislation could be brought within the scope of the UNCRC legislation. They have suggested ways to achieve that, such as applying UNCRC requirements to future bills, such as the Promise bill, and committing to minimising future Scottish Parliament amendments to United Kingdom acts. What is the Scottish Government’s long-term plan on UNCRC incorporation, given the narrower scope that it now has?

In the same item of business

The Convener SNP
We now move to our fourth agenda item, which is our final evidence session on the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (Incorporation) (Scotl...
The Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice (Shirley-Anne Somerville) SNP
Thank you and good morning, convener. I am grateful for the committee’s careful consideration of this important bill. As the committee is well aware, the Un...
The Convener SNP
Thank you very much, cabinet secretary, for that detailed and informative opening statement. The cabinet secretary will be aware of how keen I am to engage ...
Shirley-Anne Somerville SNP
Thank you, convener, and I thank Arden for the question. Now that we have gone through the bill process, and as we look forward to what will come next, afte...
The Convener SNP
We move to questions from my colleague Meghan Gallacher.
Meghan Gallacher Con
Good morning, cabinet secretary and others on the panel. Last week, the committee heard from witnesses that they felt some frustration about the fact that i...
Shirley-Anne Somerville SNP
Looking into the matter has been a complex process. One of the reasons for that—as I also said in my opening remarks—was very much our wish and desire to ens...
The Convener SNP
Cabinet secretary, would you like to bring in Rachel Nicholson at this point? She has indicated that she might wish to speak, but it is up to you.
Shirley-Anne Somerville SNP
Certainly—yes.
Rachel Nicholson (Scottish Government)
I want to come in on the first question, to point out that there are a number of provisions in the bill that will allow for children to be consulted on a sta...
The Convener SNP
Thank you, Rachel. I move straight to Fulton MacGregor.
Fulton MacGregor SNP
Good morning, cabinet secretary and officials. Cabinet secretary, the committee has already heard, in written evidence and in the oral evidence taken last w...
Shirley-Anne Somerville SNP
We explored what could be done to achieve more coverage for UK acts in devolved areas within the compatibility duty. One example of how we sought to do that ...
Fulton MacGregor SNP
Thank you for that very full answer. Building on that, as I said earlier, the approach that you have taken seems to have widespread support in the sector, pa...
Shirley-Anne Somerville SNP
When the Supreme Court judgment came through, the Scottish Government asked the Secretary of State for Scotland to look into whether the current devolution s...
Paul O’Kane Lab
Good morning. I am keen to understand some of the issues around the complexities and concerns that have been raised with us by the Convention of Scottish Loc...
Shirley-Anne Somerville SNP
I very much recognise the points made in evidence that was given last week. My officials and I have been having the same types of discussions with public bod...
Paul O’Kane Lab
I welcome the cabinet secretary’s undertaking to do that further work. Does she also recognise the concerns that have been raised around general resourcing ...
Shirley-Anne Somerville SNP
We have recognised that putting the bill into practice once it becomes an act is important. A piece of legislation is just that: it is a piece of legislation...
Maggie Chapman Green
Good morning; thank you for being here. I have a few questions on a couple of different areas, but I also want to give voice to one of the young people who h...
Shirley-Anne Somerville SNP
I think that that question may be from one of the members of the Scottish Youth Parliament that I met last week. Forgive me if it was not but, if there are n...
Maggie Chapman Green
I hear—and welcome—your clear intention to continue to keep young people involved in the process. Linked to that is an issue with the three-year implementat...
Shirley-Anne Somerville SNP
As I mentioned to Mr O’Kane, decisions on future funding will be a matter for the budget process as we go forward, and I look forward to the committee and, i...
Maggie Chapman Green
I heard your earlier responses to Paul O’Kane. However, this is about not just funding but using the funding that has already been or will be allocated in th...
Shirley-Anne Somerville SNP
The issue is a consequence of the bill’s referral to the Supreme Court. For clarification, I should say to the committee that I intend to lodge an amendment ...
Maggie Chapman Green
Thank you. I will leave it there for now, convener.
The Convener SNP
I might pick up on the consequences of the referral and things that have had to be missed as a result, but I have another question to ask. It has been sugges...
Shirley-Anne Somerville SNP
I would be very concerned if public authorities stopped taking a children’s rights approach when delivering their duties just because they are not in scope o...
The Convener SNP
In an earlier answer you referred to the consequences of the referral of the bill to the Supreme Court. Apologies for taking you back a little bit, but I wan...
Shirley-Anne Somerville SNP
I absolutely appreciate that children and young people in particular want us to just get on with it, as we were told at the Cabinet takeover, and I have kept...