Proposals for a national forum to address historic child abuse in Scotland should ensure that human rights are at the heart of its work, the Chair of the Scottish Human Rights Commission said today.

Professor Alan Miller announced that the Commission will develop a recommended framework for the forum, which will address the abuse of children in Scottish institutions over several decades.

He said: “The Commission will be working over the next few months to develop a framework which puts human rights at the heart of how the forum is designed and operated.

“For example, this could include advice on the best way to involve survivors in every stage of the process, from choosing a chair, to how evidence is gathered and analysed.

“Every victim of a human rights violation, obviously including the adult survivors of cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment or punishment in Scotland’s care homes, residential schools and institutions, has the right to an effective remedy, whether that is an apology, access to justice or psychological support. The Commission’s proposals will focus the forum’s attention on human rights of all individuals and parties concerned of everyone concerned, in particular survivors of abuse, from the very beginning.”

The proposed forum is part of the Scottish Government response to the 2007 Shaw Report, which studied abuse in Scottish children?s homes between 1950 and 1995. In February 2008 the Minister for Children, Adam Ingram, announced the formation of a ‘Truth and Reconciliation’ forum, now provisionally called the ‘Acknowledgement and Accountability’ forum.

Professor Miller added that the forum should be an opportunity for Scotland to learn lessons for the future.

Crucially, the forum could help to identify systemic problems to prevent this from ever happening again, and to help to protect children and young people who are looked after in institutions in Scotland today. Adult survivors should have confidence that the work that the Commission will be carrying out will be both addressing past wrongs as well as getting it right for the future?.

The Commission is the national human rights institution for Scotland and is independent of the Scottish Government and Parliament. The advice given by it to the Scottish Government, which is to oversee how and when the forum will launch, will be impartial and based on international law and experience.

Following its providing the Scottish Government with its recommendations the Commission will become an independent monitor of the progress of the forum as well as other means of survivors securing justice for historic abuse.

If readers, listeners or viewers need support or advice about historical child abuse they can contact the In Care helpline and website: www.incaresurvivors.org.uk and Free Helpline 0800 121 6027

NOTES TO EDITORS

1. The Scottish Human Rights Commission was established by an Act of the Scottish Parliament, and is independent of Parliaments and Governments. It is the national human rights institution for Scotland.

2. The proposed ?Acknowledgement and Accountability? forum is part of the Scottish Government response to the 2007 Shaw Report, which studied abuse in Scottish children?s homes between 1950 and 1995. In February 2008 the Minister for Children Adam Ingram announced the formation of a ?Truth and Reconciliation? forum, now provisionally called the ?Acknowledgement and Accountability? forum.

3. Yesterday (Thursday 4th) the Scottish Government published the Summary Account of the Acknowledgement and Accountability Consultation. You can access this at: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2009/06/02154100/0

For media queries contact: Jenifer Johnston / 07833 402289/ jenifer.johnston@scottishhumanrights.com