Materials on United Nations Special Rapporteur on Violence Against Women and Girls (UNSRVAWG): FOI release

Information requested

"All documentation held by the Scottish Government, including correspondence held and received (including internal), minutes/notes from meetings, briefings, analysis, which is to/from or mentions Reem Alsalem, from the last three months."

Response

I enclose a copy of some of the information you requested.

For clarity, Reem Alsalem is the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Violence Against Women and Girls (UNSRVAWG). All documents identified in response to this request relate to her in that official capacity.

​​​​​​​While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance we are unable to provide some of the information you have requested because exemptions under Section 30(b)(ii) of FOISA apply. This exemption covers information where disclosure would, or would be likely to, inhibit substantially the free and frank exchange of views for the purposes of deliberation.

​​​​​​​This exemption recognises the need for Ministers and officials to have a private space within which to​​​​​​​ discuss and explore options before the Scottish Government reaches a settled public view.

​​​​​​​Disclosing the content of free and frank discussions on policy development and Ministerial decision- making relating to the UNSRVAWG visit to the UK and associated report and recommendations would substantially inhibit such discussions in the future, particularly as these discussions concern ongoing work on policy matters.

​​​​​​​This exemption is subject to the public interest test. Taking account of all the circumstances of this case, we have considered whether the public interest in disclosing the information outweighs the public interest in maintaining the exemption. We recognise that there is a public interest in transparency and accountability in government decision-making. However, we consider this is outweighed by the public interest in maintaining a space for officials and Ministers to exchange views freely and frankly, particularly on sensitive or complex matters. On balance, we have concluded that the public interest lies in favour of upholding the exemption.

​​​​​​​Documents Identified

​​​​​​​Documents Withheld in Full (Section 30(b)(ii))

​​​​​​​5 documents intended to support Ministerial decision-making and policy development and 1 piece of correspondence between Ministers.

​​​​​​​Documents Released in Part (Redacted under Section 30(b)(ii))

​​​​​​​Internal Meeting Paper Referencing UNSRVAWG Visit - Prepared for an internal meeting focused on developing an approach to sustainable funding. This includes reference to the UNSRVAWG visit and associated recommendations.

Document Already Publicly Available

UNSRVAWG Report - This report is already publicly available and can be accessed at the following link: A/HRC/59/47/Add.1: Visit to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland | OHCHR​​​​​​​

About FOI

The Scottish Government is committed to publishing all information released in response to Freedom of Information requests. View all FOI responses at https://www.gov.scot/foi-responses.

FOI 202500489430 - Information Released - Annex

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166.7 kB