Absolute rights - such as the right to life and the right to protection from inhuman and degrading treatment - are the most fundamental rights we have, and they must never be breached.
However, international and domestic humanrights bodies have found evidence that people in places of detention such as prisons and mental health institutions are experiencing gaps in the protection of these rights which, if left unaddressed, are likely to lead to humanrights breaches.
Issues include:
High
on ESC rights framework designed to empower humanrights defenders.
In May 2025, the Scottish..., stated their commitment to protecting and promoting humanrights and set out their plans...The impact
When we released our report on ESC rights in the Highlands and Islands, people took notice:
In January 2025, the Scottish Parliament held a Members Debate put forward by Rhoda Grant, MSP... rights in the Highlands and Islands.
The Scottish HumanRights Commission has welcomed the publication of the Scottish Parliament’s Health and Sport Committee Stage 1 Report on the Mental Health (Scotland) Bill.
Following the Bill’s... potential impact on people’s humanrights. We recommended a series of actions including encouraging...; and strengthening the duty to provide independent advocacy for people with mental health problems.
Cathy... has recognised that any new legislation should protect the rights of people accessing mental health
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