Scottish Human Rights Commission

How can we talk about human rights in a changing world?

Last week, our Head of Communications and Engagement Rosie McIntosh, joined colleagues from across Europe at the NHRI Academy.

The week focused on how to talk about human rights in the face of AI and disinformation, anti-human rights narratives and a cost of living crisis.

Rosie presented to the Academy on the value of telling stories.
📣 Sharing stories that emphasise our shared humanity
🦻 Listening, amplifying and validating experiences that lead to frustration
🗣️ Explaining human rights in a way that makes sense to our real lives

Read stories that we shared as part of our State of the Nation report:
https://www.scottishhumanrights.com/projects-and-programmes/state-of-the-nation/

We have provided feedback on the proposed refreshed National Performance Framework (NPF).

While the proposals contain some welcome elements, this response focuses on several areas of concern, particularly the treatment of human rights within the
framework.

Read it here:
https://ow.ly/SUue50Z7a6I

Today was the COCAB Conference for Citizens Advice Scotland and leaders of Scotland's local Citizens Advice Bureaux. Our Chair was asked to give a speech, alongside Kezia Dugdale of the University of Glasgow Centre for Public Policy.

In her speech, Professor Angela O'Hagan recognised that Scotland's Citizens Advice Bureaux are at the coalface of human rights protections. They are often the first place people turn when something has gone wrong with their human rights, and we rely on their insight, evidence, and connection to communities to do our work effectively.

Data collected from local Bureaux has informed our human rights monitoring, particularly our spotlights on economic social and cultural rights in the Highlands and Islands, and more recently in the South of Scotland.

Last year we partnered with the Parkhead Citizens Advice Bureau to develop a plain English guide to human rights under the Scottish Prison Rules, which is now available in prisons across Scotland.

We look forward to continued collaboration with members of Citizens Advice Scotland to ensure that human rights are not just principles on paper, but something that people feel and experience in their everyday lives.

For more, read Professor O'Hagan's speech on our website:
https://ow.ly/wsKi50Z5jZV

Last week, our Chair Angela O'Hagan spoke at Scottish Care's National Care at Home & Housing Support Conference.

In her keynote speech, Professor O'Hagan spoke about the central role that care plays in realising many fundamental rights, and how telling the story of care through a human rights lens can help to make it more visible.



Read the speech on our website:
https://ow.ly/725a50Z27ax