Mapping human rights in Scotland

Promoting and protecting human dignity in Scotland has been a strategic priority for the Commission since it became operational in 2008. To advance this priority, the Commission has pursued

a major research project to “map” the state of human rights in Scotland. This research is the first of its kind in Scotland, and will present a picture of where Scotland currently stands in terms of its international and domestic human rights obligations. 

The research programme began in Spring 2010 and runs until Spring 2012. The central aim of the research is to understand  the degree to which people in Scotland are able to realise their civil and political, economic, social and cultural rights in their day to day lives. The report of the research will highlight the gaps as well as the good practices that currently exist in the promotion and protection of the full spectrum of human rights in Scotland.

The research will:

• enable the Commission to prioritise its future work and Strategic direction

• help the Commission to report to, and participate in, United Nations human rights reviews, including the Universal Periodic Review, under which the UK is due to give an account of its implementation of its international human rights obligations in June 2012. This includes implementation in Scotland.

• inform the development of Scotland’s National Action Plan for Human Rights – a road map for the fulfilment of rights.

The programme of research is divided into three key phases: 

Phase 1 (March 2010 - April 2011) involved the collection and analysis of a range of secondary sources, including reviews of social and legal research, print media, enquiries to the Commission and the Commission’s 2008 / 9 Consultation (link), in order to draw out the wide range of human rights concerns in Scotland today. Phase 1 also involved the development of a stakeholder database of organisations which help, campaign or support people in all parts of the country, emphasising organisations who work with the most marginalised people in Scotland - this is now live and you can access the stakeholder map at this link. There is also a research briefing paper on this part of the project.

Phase 2 (February 2011 - December 2011) involves a deeper exploration of a range of key thematic areas drawn from the Phase 1 evidence, including:

• Health (including mental health)

• Dignity & Care

• Employment & Education

• Where We Live

• Safety & Security

• Private & Family Life

• Access to Justice and the Right to a Remedy

• Living in Detention

As well as analysing the Phase 1 source material some primary research is also taking place to enhance the understanding of human rights concerns of a wide range of people across the length and breadth of Scotland.

Phase 3 (October 2011 – March 2012) will involve public engagement and validation of the research findings. The Commission aims to be as transparent as possible in the development of the research report. The first draft of the report will be peer reviewed by a range of key stakeholders. The Commission is also currently exploring ways of inviting comment via an open forum allowing discussion of the issues being raised in the report and their implications for the Commission’s second Strategic plan (2012 - 2016).

The report will be launched in 2012, at which point the Commission hopes to continue the national discussion about the research findings and their implications for the development of Scotland’s National Action Plan for Human Rights.

If you would like more information about the research or joining the stakeholder database please email Dr Alison Hosie.