We believe in contributing to positive change by sharing our legal expertise and the expertise of people who have lived experience of the issues we work on.
We respond to policy consultations and write policy briefings on issues that matter to our clients. We also contribute to academic research and to joint monitoring and policy reports, as well as to best practice resources in the areas in which we work.
Explore our resources below, or search for factsheets and resources by topic.
Policy consultation responses
Abortion Services (Safe Access Zones) (Scotland) Bill: SWRC response (PDF)
21/12/2024Our Scottish Women’s Rights Centre (SWRC) has submitted a response to the consultation on Abortion Services (Safe Access Zones) (Scotland) Bill.
The response is available here.
Consultation on Scottish Court Fees 2024-2025: our joint response (PDF)
11/06/2024Alongside Human Rights Consortium Scotland and Scottish Association of Law Centres, we submitted our response to the Scottish Government consultation on Scottish Court Fees 2024-2025.
Our submitted consultation is accessible here.
Scottish Elections (Representation and Reform) Bill: our response (PDF)
06/03/2024We submitted our response to the Standards, Procedures, and Public Appointments Committee’s consultation on the Scottish Elections (Representation and Reform) Bill.
Our response is available here.
Petition PE2049 to Introduce Buffer Zones outside migrant accommodation: our response (PDF)
23/01/2024Our response is available here.
Scottish Legal Aid Board consultation on advice and assistance and assistance by way of representation: our response (PDF)
06/11/2023We submitted our response to the Scottish Legal Aid Board consultation on advice and assistance (A&A) and assistance by way of representation (ABWOR).
Our submitted consultation is accessible here.
JustCitizens: our response to the Scottish Human Rights Bill Consultation (PDF)
06/10/2023JustCitizens submitted their views on the consultation in full in their joint submission with other lived experience groups of migrants in Scotland, with thanks to the Scottish Human Rights Consortium for facilitating this work, and for their dedicated time and effort. You can read the submission here.
SALC response to the Human Rights Bill for Scotland consultation (PDF)
05/10/2023We submitted our response to the Scottish Government’s consultation on a Human Rights Bill for Scotland.
Our submitted consultation is accessible here.
Scottish Human Rights Bill Consultation: our response (PDF)
05/10/2023We submitted our response to the Scottish Government’s consultation on a Human Rights Bill for Scotland.
Our submitted response is accessible here.
Victims, Witnesses and Justice Reform (Scotland) Bill consultation: SWRC response (PDF)
07/09/2023Our Scottish Women’s Rights Centre (SWRC) has submitted a response to the consultation on Victims, Witnesses, and Justice Reform (Scotland) Bill.
Consultation on Regulation of Legal Services (Scotland) Bill: our response (PDF)
07/08/2023JustRight Scotland has submitted a response to the Stage 1 call for views on the Regulation of Legal Services (Scotland) Bill.
Regulation of Legal Services (Scotland) Bill consultation: JustRight Scotland and Scottish Association of Law Centres joint response (PDF)
07/08/2023JustRight Scotland and the Scottish Association of Law Centres (SALC) have submitted a joint response to the Stage 1 Call for Views on the Regulation of Legal Services (Scotland) Bill.
Our joint response is available here.
Call for evidence – Racially Minoritised Women: Violence Against Women & Girls: Our response (PDF)
07/07/2023JustRight Scotland has submitted a response as part of the Call for Evidence commissioned by Public Health Scotland which aims to develop insights and recommendations to inform violence against women and girls (VAWG) policy and practice in Scotland, including the upcoming refresh of Equally Safe. It also investigates what the current challenges and barriers for services in meeting the needs of racially minoritised women affected by VAWG are and what challenges and barriers they face.
Read our response.
Consultation on Further and Higher Education financial support – changes to residency criteria: our response (PDF)
31/03/2023We responded to the consultation on changes to residency criteria for access to financial support in Further and Higher Education. The Scottish Government run this consultation following a judicial review hearing at the Court of Session, in our case of Ola Jasim v Scottish Ministers (2022).
Our submitted response is available here.
Call for evidence from the Home Affairs Committee into Human Trafficking: our response (PDF)
17/03/2023JustRight Scotland submitted a response to the Home Affairs Committee on their call for evidence on trafficking. In this inquiry the Home Affairs Committee was seeking responses on the scale of human trafficking in the UK and the forms it takes. It was also investigating whether Government policy, legislation and the criminal justice system can be improved to prevent human trafficking, prosecute perpetrators and protect victims.
Proposed Freedom of Information Reform (Scotland) Bill: Our response (PDF)
14/03/2023We responded to the Proposed Freedom of Information Reform (Scotland) Bill, by Katy Clark MSP. This consultation invited views on proposals to update and reform freedom of information legislation in Scotland.
Our submitted consultation is accessible here.
SALC response to the Proposed Freedom of Information Reform (Scotland) Bill (PDF)
14/03/2023We responded to the Proposed Freedom of Information Reform (Scotland) Bill, by Katy Clark MSP. This consultation invited views on proposals to update and reform freedom of information legislation in Scotland.
Our submitted consultation is accessible here.
JustRight Scotland response to Access to Information Rights consultation (Scottish Government) (PDF)
14/03/2023We submitted a response to the Scottish Government consultation on access to information rights in Scotland. This consultation follows the work of the Public Audit and Post-legislative Scrutiny Committee (PAPLS), to undertake post-legislative scrutiny of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 (FOISA).
Our submitted statement is accessible here.
UK Government’s intervention on the Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill: our statement (PDF)
17/01/2023Together with other organisations across Scotland we have signed a joint statement to make clear our strong opposition to the UK Government’s intervention on the Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill and to any suggestion that these reforms would have an adverse effect on the Equality Act or women’s rights.
Read the full statement.
Call for evidence from the Joint Committee on Human Rights on the rights of asylum seekers in the UK: our response (PDF)
15/12/2022We submitted our response to the call for evidence from the Joint Committee on Human Rights looking into the rights of asylum seekers in the UK.
Administrative Justice Principles Consultation: JustRight Scotland and Scottish Association of Law Centres joint response (PDF)
06/12/2022Together with the Scottish Association of Law Centres (SALC), we submitted a joint response to the Administrative Justice Committee Law Society of Scotland’s consultation for a principles-based approach to administrative justice in Scotland.
Response to the Scottish Government’s Consultation on the Proposed Domestic Abuse (Prevention) (Scotland) Bill (PDF)
17/11/2022Our Scottish Women’s Rights Centre (SWRC) has submitted a response to the Scottish Government’s Consultation on the Proposed Domestic Abuse (Prevention) (Scotland) Bill.
Scottish Government’s Consultation on Witchcraft Convictions (Pardons) (Scotland) Bill: our response (PDF)
21/09/2022We have submitted our response to the Scottish Government for the Consultation on Witchcraft Convictions (Pardons) (Scotland) Bill.
Our Scottish Women’s Rights Centre are strongly in favour of the posthumous pardon of all those convicted of witchcraft in Scotland. We support efforts to name our common history and redress wrongs because only by sharing a wide public understanding of the roots of misogyny.
Call for evidence from the Independent Strategic Review of Funding and Commissioning of VAWGS: our response (PDF)
15/08/2022We have submitted our response to the Independent Strategic Review of Funding and Commissioning of violence against women and girls (VAWGS) by drawing from the experience of our staff, as well as people we represent within the Scottish Women’s Rights Centre (SWRC), the Scottish Refugee and Migrant Centre (SMRC) and the Scottish Anti-Trafficking and Exploitation Centre (SATEC).
We believe that challenging violence against women and girls (VAWG) requires a multi-faceted approach. This includes: a focus on prevention aimed at redressing the inequalities that lead to violence, on strengthening and improving our protection of survivors, and also ensuring and effective response leading to prosecution of perpetrators of violence.
Incorporating the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child into Scots law (PDF)
20/06/2022We have submitted our response to the Scottish Government for incorporating the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child into Scots law as part of planning for Parliamentary Reconsideration Stage.
Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill (PDF)
23/05/2022Amnesty Scotland and JustRight Scotland joint written response to the Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee submitted on 17 May 2022.
Consultation on proposals for the review into the effectiveness of the Public Sector Equality Duty in Scotland: our response (PDF)
11/04/2022We’ve worked with over 20 organisations to highlight that the reforms will not go far enough to lead to real improvements in the lives of people who share protected characteristics. We call for a “fully-fledged collaborative process” with experts in equality and we urge the Scottish Government not to miss the opportunity to make robust changes to improve the lives of marginalised people.
Read our proposals.
Scottish Court Fees 2022-2025: Human Consortium Scotland and Scottish Association of Law Centres joint response (PDF)
09/03/2022The Human Rights Consortium Scotland (HRCS) and the Scottish Association of Law Centres (SALC) submitted their joint response to the Scottish Court Fees consultation on 9th March 2022.
JustCitizens response to the Human Rights Act reform (PDF)
08/03/2022Submitted response to the UK Government consultation on the national plans to reform the Human Rights Act to by JustCitizens on 8th March 2022.
Human Rights Act Reform: our joint response with the Human Rights Consortium Scotland (PDF)
08/03/2022JustRight Scotland and the Human Rights Consortium Scotland joint response to the consultation to reform the Human Rights Act 1998 on 8th March 2022.
Read the full response.
Human Rights Act Reform: our response (PDF)
08/03/2022JustRight Scotland has rejected the UK Government plans to replace the Human Rights Act (HRA) as announced last December.
We have submitted our response to the UK Government consultation on 8th March 2022.
Human Rights Act Reform: Scottish Association of Law Centres (SALC) response (PDF)
08/03/2022The Scottish Association of Law Centres (SALC) has submitted their response to the consultation on the reform of the Human Rights Act and the introduction of a new Bill of Rights on 8th March 2022.
JustRight Scotland and Children’s Rights Organisations: A Statement on the Nationality and Borders Bill (PDF)
22/02/2022Ahead of the debate in the Scottish Parliament on the Nationality and Borders Bill, we’ve worked with Scottish Refugee Council, Together Scotland and Aberlour to highlight the harmful impact of the bill on children.
Read our statement.
JustCitizens response to the Food Bank Consultation (PDF)
25/01/2022Submitted response to the Scottish Government consultation on the draft national plan to end the need for food banks by JustCitizens on 25th January 2022.
Submission on the Aims and Principles of the Scottish COVID-19 Inquiry (PDF)
08/12/2021Joint response to the call for views on draft aims and principles of the COVID-19 public inquiry.
JustRight Scotland and Scottish Refugee Council briefing on the devolved impacts of the Nationality and Borders Bill (PDF)
30/11/2021JustRight Scotland and Scottish Refugee Council joint advocacy briefing to Legal Opinion and Cover Note, on the devolved impacts of the Nationality and Borders Bill.
Cover Note and Legal Opinion of Christine O’Neill QC on the Nationality and Borders Bill (PDF)
30/11/2021JustRight Scotland and Scottish Refugee Council jointly commissioned a legal opinion from Christine O’Neill QC and her team at Brodies to better understand the devolved impacts of the UK Government’s Nationality and Borders Bill (the Bill) for Scotland and its public bodies and possible ways to mitigate its harms.
Access the cover note to the opinion here.
Ending Conversion Therapy in Scotland (PDF)
13/08/2021Written response to the call for evidence by the Scottish Parliament’s Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee on a petition to end the practice of ‘conversion therapy’ in Scotland, submitted by Amnesty International Scotland, the Human Rights Consortium Scotland and JustRight Scotland on 13 August 2021.
Read the full response.
The Regulation of Child Contact Centres in Scotland (PDF)
12/07/2021Written response to the call for evidence by the Scottish Government on the regulation of child contact centres, submitted by the Scottish Women’s Rights Centre on 12 July 2021.
The Children (Scotland) Act 2020: Registers of child welfare reporters, curators ad litem and solicitors (PDF)
12/07/2021Written response to the call for evidence by the Scottish Government on the Children (Scotland) Act 2020 registers of child welfare reporters, curators ad litem and solicitors, submitted by the Scottish Women’s Rights Centre on 12 July 2021.
New Plan for Immigration 2021 – JustRight Scotland Response (PDF)
06/05/2021Written response to the call for evidence by the UK Government on its New Plan for Immigration, submitted by JustRight Scotland on 6 May 2021.
New Plan for Immigration 2021 – JustCitizens Response (PDF)
06/05/2021Written response to the call for evidence by the UK Government on its New Plan for Immigration, submitted by JustCitizens on 6 May 2021.
Judicial Review Reform and the Devolved Jurisdictions (PDF)
29/04/2021Written response to the call for evidence by the UK Government on reform of Judicial Review in the devolved jurisdictions, submitted by JustRight Scotland on 29 April 2021.
Briefing for Third Sector Organisations in Scotland Responding to the UK Govt’s New Plan for Immigration Consultation (PDF)
28/04/2021Briefing for civil society organisations and community groups responding to the UK Government call for evidence on the New Plan for Immigration, closing date 6 May 2021.
The Impact of the Human Rights Act 1998 in Scotland: A perspective from legal practice (PDF)
03/03/2021Written response to the call for evidence by the UK Independent Human Rights Act Review, submitted by JustRight Scotland on 3 March 2021.
Short guide for Scottish civil society organisations on responding to the Independent Human Rights Act Review (PDF)
16/02/2021A short guide for civil society organisations in Scotland on responding to the Independent Human Rights Act Review, deadline 3 March 2021, produced in partnership with the Human Rights Consortium Scotland.
The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Equalities and Human Rights in Scotland (JRS) (PDF)
23/12/2020Written response to call for evidence by the Equalities and Human Rights Committee Scottish Parliament on the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on equalities and human rights in Scotland, submitted by JustRight Scotland on 23 December 2020.
The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Equalities and Human Rights in Scotland (JustCitizens) (PDF)
23/12/2020Written response to call for evidence by the Equalities and Human Rights Committee Scottish Parliament on the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on equalities and human rights in Scotland, submitted by JustCitizens at JustRight Scotland on 23 December 2020.
Equally Safe: Challenging Men’s Demand for Prostitution (PDF)
16/12/2020Written response to call for evidence by the Scottish Government Equally Safe consultation on approaches to challenge men’s demand for prostitution, submitted by JustRight Scotland on 16 December 2020.
Domestic Abuse (Protection) (Scotland) Bill 2020 (PDF)
09/12/2020Written response to call for evidence by the Scottish Government on the Domestic Abuse (Protection) (Scotland) Bill 2020, submitted by the Scottish Women’s Rights Centre on 9 December 2020.
Impact of Covid-19 on Individuals with No Recourse to Public Funds (PDF)
09/10/2020Written response to call for evidence by the Local Government and Communities Committee of the Scottish Parliament on the impact of Covid-19 on individuals with no recourse to public funds in Scotland, submitted by JustCitizens at JustRight Scotland and the Scottish Women’s Rights Centre on 9 October 2020.
Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme Review 2020 (PDF)
09/10/2020Written response to call for evidence by the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme Review 2020 on proposed reforms of the CICA scheme, submitted by JustRight Scotland and the Scottish Women’s Rights Centre on 9 October 2020.
The UNCRC (Incorporation) (Scotland) Bill 2020 (PDF)
02/10/2020Written response to call for evidence by the Equalities and Human Rights Committee Scottish Parliament on the UNCRC (Incorporation) (Scotland) Bill 2020, submitted by JustRight Scotland on 2 October 2020.
Proposed Right to Food (Scotland) Bill (PDF)
15/09/2020Written response to call for evidence by the Scottish Parliament consultation on the proposed Right to Food (Scotland) Bill, submitted by JustCitizens at JustRight Scotland on 15 September 2020.
Independent Child Trafficking Guardians (Section 11 of the Human Trafficking and Exploitation (Scotland) Act 2015) (PDF)
22/11/2019Written response to call for evidence by the Scottish Parliament on the implementation of Section 11 of the Human Trafficking and Exploitation (Scotland) Act 2015 (independent child trafficking guardians), submitted by JustRight Scotland on 22 November 2019.
Scottish Elections (Franchise & Representation) Bill 2019 (PDF)
19/11/2019Briefing on potential amendments (Stage 2) to the Scottish Elections (Franchise & Representation) Bill 2019, submitted by Scottish Refugee Council and JustRight Scotland on 22 November 2019.
Legal Aid Reform in Scotland (PDF)
23/09/2019Written response to call for evidence by the Scottish Government Justice Directorate on approaches to reforming legal aid in Scotland, submitted by JustRight Scotland on 23 September 2019.
Female Genital Mutilation (Protection and Guidance) (Scotland) Bill 2019 (PDF)
12/09/2019Written response to call for evidence by the Equalities and Human Rights Committee Scottish Parliament on the Female Genital Mutilation (Protection and Guidance) (Scotland) Bill 2019, submitted by JustRight Scotland on 12 September 2019.
Duty to Notify (Section 38 of the Human Trafficking and Exploitation (Scotland) Act 2015) (PDF)
05/09/2019Written response to call for evidence by the Scottish Parliament on Section 38 of the Human Trafficking and Exploitation (Scotland) Act 2015 (duty to notify and provide information about victims), submitted by JustRight Scotland on 5 September 2019.
Incorporation of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) (PDF)
28/08/2019Written response to call for evidence by the Scottish Government on the incorporation of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child into Scots law, submitted by JustRight Scotland on 28 August 2019.
Licensing of Sexual Entertainment Venues in Glasgow (PDF)
26/08/2019Written response to call for evidence by Glasgow City Council on the licensing of sexual entertainment venues, submitted by JustRight Scotland on 26 August 2019.
Stalking Protection (Scotland) Bill 2019 (PDF)
21/07/2019Written response to call for evidence by the Scottish Government on the Stalking Protection (Scotland) Bill 2019, submitted by the Scottish Women’s Rights Centre on 21 July 2019.
Confidentiality Clauses: Prevention of misuse in workplace harassment or discrimination (PDF)
07/05/2019Written response to call for evidence by the UK Government consultation on prevention of misuse of confidentiality clauses in workplace harassment or discrimination, submitted by the Scottish Women’s Rights Centre on 7 May 2019.
Protective Orders for People at Risk of Domestic Abuse (PDF)
04/05/2019Written response to call for evidence by the Scottish Government on protective orders for people at risk of domestic abuse, submitted by the Scottish Women’s Rights Centre on 4 May 2019.
Improving Multi-Agency Risk Assessment and interventions for victims of domestic abuse (PDF)
01/04/2019Written response to call for evidence by the Scottish Government on improving Multi-Agency Risk Assessment and interventions for victims of domestic abuse, submitted by the Scottish Women’s Rights Centre on 1 April 2019.
Police Complaints Handling, Investigations and Misconduct Issues (PDF)
13/03/2019Written response to call for evidence by the Scottish Government on improving police complaints handling, investigations and misconduct issues, submitted by the Scottish Women’s Rights Centre on 13 March 2019.
Female Genital Mutilation (Scotland) Bill (PDF)
04/01/2019Written response to call for evidence by the Scottish Government on proposed Female Genital Mutilation (Scotland) Bill, submitted by JustRight Scotland and the Scottish Women’s Rights Centre on 4 January 2019.
Independent Review of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 (PDF)
22/12/2018Written follow up to oral evidence session on 22 November 2018 on Scottish practice in relation to the Independent Review of the Modern Slavery Act 2015, submitted by the Scottish Guardianship Service and JustRight Scotland on 1 December 2018.
Reforming Part 1 of the Children (Scotland) Act 1995 (PDF)
27/09/2018Written response to call for evidence by the Scottish Government on reforming Part 1 of the Children (Scotland) Act 1995, submitted by the Scottish Women’s Rights Centre on 27 September 2018.
Scottish Parliament: Protection of Workers from Sexual Harassment (PDF)
12/02/2018Written response to call for evidence by the Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee of the Scottish Parliament on the protection of workers from sexual harassment and campaigns and initiatives that succeed in bringing about positive cultural change in the workplace, submitted by the Scottish Women’s Rights Centre on 12 February 2018.
Civil Actions for Damages in Respect of Rape and Other Serious Crimes (PDF)
09/02/2018Written response to call for evidence by the Scottish Government’s on on civil actions for damages in respect of rape or other serious crimes, submitted by the Scottish Women’s Rights Centre on 9 February 2018.
Pre-recording of Evidence of Child and other Vulnerable witnesses (PDF)
30/09/2017Written response to call for evidence by the Scottish Government on pre-recording of evidence of child and other vulnerable witnesses, submitted by JustRight Scotland on 30 September 2017.
Equally Safe Draft Delivery Plan (PDF)
29/06/2017Written response to call for evidence by the Scottish Government on the Equally Safe draft delivery plan, submitted by the Scottish Women’s Rights Centre on 29 June 2017.
Research reports
A Site of Resistance: An evaluation of the Stop Lock Change Evictions coalition (PDF)
14/02/2020This report documents the activities and impact of the Stop Lock Change Evictions Coalition, a collaborative social justice movement in Glasgow, Scotland that upholds the housing and human rights of people seeking asylum.
APPG Migration inquiry into the impact of the EU Settlement Scheme on EU citizens in the UK (PDF)
02/03/2023We took part in the drafting of this report which is based on a survey conducted in June / July 2022 on a large number of individuals at a range of stages within the EUSS application and decision-making process.
In total, across all organisations, 2512 EUSS clients have been surveyed per month.
Our experience of being surveyed for this inquiry – alongside other UK organisations, is a testament to the continued attention that the EUSS deserves from Government Ministers and Parliamentarians and it is vital that the EU Settlement Scheme functions well. Vulnerable people need to be protected and future crises need to be avoided.
Assisting Trafficked Women: Best Practice Principles (PDF)
15/12/2020This report documents and explores best practice principles for integration of women affected by human trafficking for sexual exploitation, drawn from an innovative two-year anti-trafficking project funded by the European Union’s Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (EC AMIF: 821581). The project provided trafficked migrant women across Europe with legal advice, information and support in accessing material assistance (social and financial). The lead partner for this project was the Immigrant Council of Ireland with co-partners SOLWODI Germany, BeFree Italy, SURT Spain and the European Network of Migrant Womenand JustRight Scotland.
Assisting Trafficked Women: Summary (PDF)
15/12/2020This document summarises best practice principles for integration of women affected by human trafficking for sexual exploitation, set out in full in the accompanying report: “Assisting Trafficked Women: Best Practice Principles” (2020) The project provided trafficked migrant women across Europe with legal advice, information and support in accessing material assistance (social and financial). The lead partner for this project was the Immigrant Council of Ireland with co-partners SOLWODI Germany, BeFree Italy, SURT Spain and the European Network of Migrant Womenand JustRight Scotland.
Gendering Your Response to Ukraine Refugee Crisis (PDF)
23/05/2022This statement supports a call to action from all key partners to gender their response to Ukraine Refugee Crisis, fully recognising the risks that women are exposed to and design and develop
their service responses, data collection, monitoring and evaluation that will capture the true extent of need.
Guidance on the initial stage of age assessment (PDF)
11/05/2023JustRight Scotland, together with the British Red Cross, have published a short guide on the initial stage of age assessment to assist local authorities in Scotland and improve practice in this area.
Guide to Pro Bono and other free advice in Scotland (PDF)
30/11/2023We have worked in collaboration with the Faculty of Advocates and the Law Society of Scotland to publish this Scottish Guide to Pro Bono during our Pro Bono Week’s event hosted in Glasgow last 9th November.
Pro Bono Week is a cross-sector collaborative initiative that through publications, launches, events and comms every November helps support the legal profession’s voluntary provision of free legal help to those in need.
This booklet is a pilot revision for Pro Bono Week 2023 and it was inspired by the Guide to Pro Bono published in England and Wales. Do you have any suggestions for additions to the guide? Have you seen anything that needs correcting?
Please let us know at deans.secretariat@advocates.org.uk
The guide is available here.
Human Trafficking & Modern Slavery: submission to the United Kingdom, UN Periodic Review, 4th cycle, November 2022 (PDF)
01/04/2022We took part – together with a number of UK based organisations working to prevent and end trafficking, to the submission to the United Kingdom, UN Periodic Review, 4th cycle, November 2022 on Human Trafficking and Modern Slavery.
This submission highlights gaps in the UK’s current response and actions. Recommendations cover addressing obstacles to identification and protection measures; the impact of immigration enforcement centred approaches; access to legal aid, the rights of overseas domestic workers; the need for Business Human Rights legislation; and the Seasonal Workers Scheme for agricultural workers.
Improving access to human rights justice in Scotland: Make Human Rights Justice a Reality report (PDF)
02/11/2023Alongside Human Rights Consortium Scotland, Environmental Rights Centre for Scotland, Poverty Alliance, Shelter Scotland, CLAN Childlaw and Justice, we have produced “Make Human Rights Justice a Reality” report.
This report is informed by the lived experience of trying to access remedy of community groups and individuals who took part in a series of workshops. This report also draws on the experience of our organisations that work day-by-day with people who experience barriers to justice.
The main purpose of this report therefore is to outline 13 priority actions that will improve access to human rights justice in Scotland. These are:
- Put all of our human rights into law
- Ensure everyone knows their rights and how to get them
- Ensure inclusive communications across the system
- Provide independent advocacy for all
- Develop effective non-court routes to justice
- Improve people’s experience of going to court
- Remove unfair timescales
- Value NGO-led public interest litigation
- Ensure effective remedies for human rights breaches
- Introduce radical reform of legal aid
- Remove financial barriers to justice
- Strengthen accountability bodies
- Ensure duty bearers take a human rights-based approach
A parallel report to Make Human Rights Justice a Reality is also available on the Human Rights Consortium Scotland’s website.
National Referral Mechanism Handbook Joining Efforts to Protect the Rights of Trafficked Persons: A Practical Handbook (PDF)
24/01/2022After the publication of the first edition of the NRM Handbook in 2004, the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) has issued an updated version to provide guidance to OSCE participating States on establishing and strengthening national referral mechanisms (NRM). The purpose of the updated NRM Handbook is to provide essential ‘know-how’ of the working methods, procedures and services required to fulfil NRMs objectives, centering all communications and actions on the protection of victims and the overall prevention of trafficking in human beings.
Real people, real lives: Ten years of advocacy for victims of slavery in the UK (PDF)
13/09/2019This report summarises the important work carried out by the Anti-Trafficking Monitoring Group since 2009. Through building a ‘critical friendship’ with the UK Government, the ATMG has achieved considerable success, in particular in the areas of legal reform, resource allocation and political attention. The progress made by the UK in implementing the Council of Europe Anti-Trafficking Convention was acknowledged by GRETA in its second report on the UK, published in October 2016, which welcomed the political attention to tackling human trafficking, the adoption of dedicated legislation, as well as the multi-agency approach and engagement with civil society.
REFLECTIONS ON THE UKRAINE SCHEME IN SCOTLAND: Feedback from clients of Ukraine Advice Scotland (PDF)
04/10/2022This research gains valuable insight into the reality faced by those who had contacted the Ukraine Advice Scotland (UAS) helpline.
During August 2022 a feedback survey of 9 questions was sent to the clients and 143 survey responses were received. The data was analysed using a thematic coding process undertaken by two authors.
You can read the full report here.
An Executive Summary is also available for you here.
Unlocking Support: A call for action to support age disputed young people in Scotland (PDF)
16/09/2024Last September, we launched our groundbreaking report, “Unlocking Support: Age Disputed Young People in Scotland.”
The report reveals critical findings and highlights the pressing need for a unified, proactive approach to address these challenges:
- Delays in safeguarding referrals
The report uncovers significant delays in local authority referrals, with young people often waiting weeks or even months for support. In some cases, authorities unlawfully refuse to engage, relying on flawed Home Office age assessments. The requirement for referrals to come via the police adds another obstacle. These delays leave many young people, including trafficking victims, in unsafe conditions, sharing accommodation with adults and facing increased risks of exploitation. - Inconsistent age assessments across Scotland
Even when local authorities engage, the fairness and consistency of their age assessments vary widely. Based on Freedom of Information requests from 32 Scottish local authorities, the report reveals a “postcode lottery” of practice. 41% of young people referred to local authorities are classified as adults after just one brief enquiry, with outcomes differing greatly depending on the local authority. Legal challenges have overturned many of these decisions, raising serious concerns about the accuracy and fairness of the assessments.
Read more on our Executive summary.
Read the legal opinion from Janys Scott KC.