The Scottish Government has launched a consultation on incorporating the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) into our domestic law in Scotland.
Delivering the rights of children and young people as enshrined in the UNCRC is fundamental to making children’s rights real, whilst making Scotland the best place in the world to grow up, learn live and play. Childminders have a key role to play in upholding children’s rights and encouraging them to feel included, valued, respected and empowered within our society.
Chief Executive of SCMA, Graeme McAlister said: “We are delighted that the Scottish Government has recently committed to embedding the UNCRC within law by the end of the current parliamentary term and that the they have consulted promptly on this.
“This will represent a significant step in ensuring children’s rights in Scotland and it is important that momentum is maintained to deliver on this commitment. SCMA will be submitting an organisational response and we would encourage members to do so individually.”
Together, we recognise the need to have a Scotland where policy, law and decision making takes account of children’s rights - where all children have a voice and are empowered not just to know and understand their rights, but also to defend their rights and the rights of others. Incorporating the UNCRC in Scotland will also enable people to defend their rights in the Scottish courts.
This consultation seeks the views of everyone who works with children in Scotland - including childminders, parents, carers and other childcare providers - on the best way of incorporating the UNCRC within the context of Scots Law, public services and the powers of the Scottish Parliament.
The Scottish Government and SCMA welcome your help with letting people know about this consultation and encouraging responses to it.
Start the Consultation and share your views.
The consultation will close on 14 August 2019, when Ministers will legislate in the next Parliamentary Session to incorporate the UNCRC into Scots Law.
What is the UNCRC?
The UNCRC is one of the core United Nations (UN) human rights treaties. It is the most widely ratified human rights treaty in history and the most complete statement of children’s rights ever produced. It sets out the civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights of every child, regardless of their race, religion or abilities.
Covering all aspects of a child’s life, it makes clear that every child has rights, irrespective of their status and that we as the government must work together with adults to make sure all children can enjoy them.
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UNCRC is underpinned by four general principles
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children should not be discriminated against
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the best interests of the child should be a primary consideration
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children have the right to life, survival and development
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children’s views should be given due weight
The Scottish Government’s vision is a Scotland where children are recognised as citizens in their own right and where their human rights are embedded in all aspects of society; a Scotland where policy, law and decision making takes account of children’s rights and where all children have a voice and are empowered to be human rights defenders.