Emerging Human Rights Issues

In addition to acting on strategic priorities, the Commission engages with public bodies on emerging human rights issues to increase the ability of duty bearers to fulfil their obligations and ensure respect for human rights. On this page you will find details of some of the issues we are currently or have recently responded to:

• The Commission has welcomed the launch of the consultation phase for the Carloway Review. The Commission has already expressed significant concerns about the use of emergency procedures to enact the Criminal Procedure (Legal Assistance, Detention and Appeals) Scotland Act 2010 and about the content of the Act. You can read more about the Carloway Review on the Scottish Government website.

• The use of electro-shock weapons (TASER®): the Commission is developing a Framework of Responsibilities for the deployment and use of electro-shock weapons which will provide clarity on human rights standards and their practical meaning, as well as relevant public authority responsibilities. The framework will be published soon. You can read a commentary on the pilot scheme for use of Taser by Strathclyde Police here.

• Double Jeopardy (Scotland) Bill - the Commission provided evidence to Stage 1 Bill. Read the submission in Word format. You can read more about the Bill at this link to the Scottish Parliament website.

• The Commission responded to a Scottish Government consultation on 'A Draft National Strategy for Public Space CCTV in Scotland'. You can read our submission herein Word format. You can read more about the consultation at the Scottish Government website.

• Devolution issues and Acts of the Lord Advocate. The Commission submission on the intention of the Advocate-General for Scotland to introduce an amendment to the Scotland Bill to remove the Lord Advocate from sec 57(2) of the Scotland Act, and other issues. Read our submission here in Word format. You can read more about the report of the expert group advising the Advocate-General here.