UNCRC Incorporation (Scotland) Bill
The UNCRC Incorporation (Scotland) Bill was introduced into the Scottish Parliament in September 2020
Parenting across Scotland welcomes the Bill to incorporate the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child into Scots Law. It is an important move towards ensuring that children’s human rights are respected, protected and fulfilled in Scotland.
We are happy that the Scottish Government has taken a maximalist approach and intends to fully use its devolved powers to incorporate the UNCRC as far as is possible into Scots Law and has future-proofed this to include any further devolution of powers. While we have some recommendations which we believe would strengthen the Bill further, we believe that this Bill is a significant step forward in ensuring that children’s rights are upheld and that families are supported in their crucial role of bringing up their children.
As an organisation which believes that by supporting families, we support children, we are fully supportive of the UNCRC and see incorporation as a significant milestone in supporting families to bring up their children.
The UNCRC recognises the family as the natural environment for children to grow up in, stating in its Preamble:
“Convinced that the family, as the fundamental group of society and the natural environment for the growth and well-being of all its members and particularly children, should be afforded the necessary protection and assistance so that it can fully assume its responsibilities within the community. Recognising that the child, for the full and harmonious development of his or her personality, should grow up in a family environment, in an atmosphere of happiness, love and understanding.”
It goes on to say in Article 27:
“1. States Parties recognise the right of every child to a standard of living adequate for the child’s physical, mental, spiritual, moral and social development.
You can see our response to the consultation here