THE incorporation of a key UN treaty into Scots law has been hailed as a “historic day” by the country’s Children and Young People’s Commissioner.
Legislation passed by Holyrood to incorporate the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) came into force on Tuesday.
The initial bill was blocked by the UK Supreme Court in 2021 over fears it could have an impact on Westminster legislation, but was passed unanimously following a reconsideration stage – the first of its kind – at Holyrood last year.
The changes will enshrine the treaty – which includes the right to healthcare, education and to live a life free from abuse – into law, but will also provide for legal remedies should any breaches take place.
READ MORE: Council makes more than £29,000 in fines in first month of low emission zone
Nicola Killean, the Children and Young People’s Commissioner for Scotland, stressed the importance of the law taking effect.
“It is a historic day in Scotland for children,” she told BBC Radio Scotland.
“I just wanted to start by recognising the huge efforts that children and young people across Scotland have made themselves in campaigning to have their rights put into domestic law for so many years, and the adults who have supported them too.”
She added: “It’s an absolutely huge step forward for Scotland because incorporation really matters.
“It gives the legal power to challenge where rights are violated, it makes children’s rights enforceable and it will continue to change the way that children are valued in our society.”
Asked why it is important for the law to come into effect when children are already protected from abuse by the law, guaranteed a school place and provided with free healthcare through the NHS, Killean said young people “don’t have economic or political power”.
“Having their rights enshrined in our law, it builds a culture which helps to correct that,” she added.
“It places proactive obligations on Government and public authorities – they have to proactively consider children’s rights at the beginning of the creation of any new law now, of policies, of services and practice that are designed.
“So although we have all these systems, historically they have bee designed without that in place, so this will ensure that children are put first whenever we’re looking at any law, any policy, any practice and considering what that means for children’s rights.”
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel