International law
The Commission promotes and protects the human rights guaranteed by the European Convention on Human Rights, which form part of the law of Scotland through the Human Rights Act 1998 and the Scotland Act 1998, as well as other human rights, which are guaranteed by international conventions ratified by the UK.
Core Untited Nations (UN) human rights treaties
Among the core UN human rights treaties ratified by the UK are:
International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights
International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights
International Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Racial Discrimination
International Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination against Women and its Optional Protocol
Convention Against Torture and other forms of cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment or punishment and its Optional Protocol
Convention on the Rights of the Child
Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and its Optional Protocol
Other treaties
Other relevant international treaties include the Convention Relating to the status of Refugees and the Århus Convention on Access to Information, Public Participation in Decision-making and Access to Justice in Environmental Matters.
Core Council of Europe human rights treaties
Among the core Council of Europe human rights treaties which the UK has ratified are:
European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms
European Convention for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment
European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages
Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities
Council of Europe Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings