Our work

We have set out our key priorities for the next few years in our Strategic Plan, which we will lay before the Scottish Parliament in June 2009.

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The Commission aims to be a catalyst for culture change in Scotland.

We will build upon a deep sense of fairness, which is part of the fabric of life in Scotland, so that we can all further develop a human rights culture. This change will place human rights at the heart of how we relate to each other, and how we organise our society. The Commission will also act as a bridge between national and international communities on human rights – to ensure that the Scottish experience is reflected internationally, and to bring the international experience to our country.

Our priorities

To help us achieve these aims we are developing the first four year Strategic Plan, which sets out four strategic priorities. These are:

promoting and protecting human dignity in Scotland;
addressing emerging human rights issues;
bringing human rights to life;
supporting human rights in the world.

The Commission will adopt and promote

a human rights-based approach which helps to empower people to understand and claim their rights, as well taking the ability and accountability of those responsible for fulfilling rights into account. Our Annual Report 2008/2009 sets out what we have done in our first year, and what we will do by March 2010.

In addition to these priorty areas of work, the Commission must fulfill the general duties and powers laid down in the Scottish Commission for Human Rights Act.

Our duties

To promote all human rights – economic, social, political, cultural and civil rights to everyone, everywhere, in Scotland.
To promote best practice on human rights in Scotland. To achieve this we can provide education, advice and training.
We can publish information and conduct research.

Our powers

We can review and recommend changes to any area of law in Scotland, or changes to any policies and practices of any Scottish public authority.
We can work with others – co-ordinating, acting with, or assisting.
We can conduct inquiries into the policies or practices of public authorities in Scotland, either those working to deliver a particular service, or public authorities of a particular description, i.e. those working on certain issues or a particular description.