Major international human rights conference in Edinburgh today

The First Minister addressed a major conference in Edinburgh today ahead of international Human Rights Day tomorrow.

The event heard from human rights experts – including from the United Nations, Germany and Finland – who will discuss the potential for Scotland to further embrace economic, social and cultural rights.

These are human rights such as the right to the highest attainable standard of health, or an adequate standard of living, which are not currently incorporated into Scots law, despite them being ratified through treaties agreed to by the UK.

Other rights which are currently ratified but not incorporated include specific human rights standards relating to women, children, minority’s ethnic communities or disabled people.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon addressed delegates about the potential of these human rights to bring about change in Scotland.

Professor Alan Miller, chair of the Scottish Human Rights Commission, which is co-hosting the event said: “This conference marks a very real opportunity for Scotland’s National Action Plan, about to enter its third year, to advance our vision of a country where everyone lives with dignity.

“We will hear from the First Minister and international guests about the importance of economic, social and cultural rights. We will also hear about the experiences from other countries on how they have advanced the right to an adequate standard of living, or to the highest attainable standard of health, by taking international human rights laws into the fold of their domestic laws and through implementation in practice.

“We hope that this conference will be the start of a conversation about how we can do better in Scotland in the years to come.”

Nils Muižnieks, commissioner for Human Rights at the Council of Europe, has recorded a special video address for delegates. Other speakers includeChristian Courtis from the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, James Wolffe QC, Dean of the Faculty of Advocates, Eeva Nykänen from Finland’s National Institute for Health and Welfare, andMichael Windfuhr, deputy director, German Institute for Human Rights. Other panel leaders include Alison Elliot, Peter Peacock, Elin Gwynedd from the Welsh government, and Professor Miller.

International Human Rights Day is on Thursday 10 December, with a global theme this year of celebrating “Our Rights. Our Freedoms. Always.”