Human Rights Incorporation and Implementation Oversight Board minutes: March 2026

Attendees and apologies

• Kaukab Stewart MSP, Minister for Equalities
• Professor Alan Miller, University of Strathclyde
• Professor Angela O’Hagan, Scottish Human Rights Commission
• Catherine Whitaker, COSLA
• Charlie McMillan, Human Rights Consortium Scotland
• Christopher Clannachan, Equality Network
• Francesca Malila, CEMVO
• Gina Wilson, Children and Young People’s Commissioner Scotland
• Heather Fisken, Inclusion Scotland
• Juliet Harris, Together
• Manira Ahmad, Public Health Scotland
• Michael Clancy, Law Society
• Neil Cowan, Amnesty
• Paul McFadden, Scottish Public Services Ombudsman
• Rebecca Spillane, Improvement Service
• Samuel White, Law Society
• Shivali Fifield, Environmental Rights Centre for Scotland 
• Simon Cameron, COSLA
• Scottish Government officials

Apologies

• Lucy Mulvagh, Alliance
• Professor Nicole Busby, University of Glasgow

Items and actions

Welcome and introductions

The Minister welcomed members to the Human Rights Incorporation and Implementation Oversight Board and acknowledged that this would be its last meeting as the parliamentary session was drawing to a close.

The Minister explained that the minutes from previous meetings had been agreed and updated on the Board’s webpage, noted the apologies received for this meeting, and welcomed Gina Wilson from the Children and Young People’s Commissioner Scotland, who joined the Oversight Board prior to this meeting.

Update on progress

Kavita Chetty (Deputy Director for Human Rights & Disability, Scottish Government) provided a brief overview of the discussion from the previous Oversight Board meeting in December and noted that a final version of the Delivery Plan had been shared with members in advance of today. Kavita explained that future human rights governance arrangements will be communicated to stakeholders once new Ministers are in place and made any relevant decisions following the upcoming Scottish election.

Kavita then provided a comprehensive update on the Delivery Plan’s actions and engagements and progress towards its deliverables, covering key policy areas that officials have been progressing with partners. This included engagement and next steps on the scope of the Human Rights Bill’s proposed duties, work to test and refine proposals for incorporation of group protection treaties, developing the approach to the right to a healthy environment, and  further information on work around the Bill’s proposed accountability mechanisms as well as wider rights capability‑building activity. Members were invited to attend the launch of the new Human Rights Tracker Tool on 12 March.

Members asked for further information on the new Local Government Short Life Working Group that has been set up in conjunction with COSLA to explore Bill development and implementation needs with diverse local government interests. Officials explained that the first meeting of this forum took place in January and focused on scene‑setting, consolidating outputs of local government engagement on the Bill to date, and discussing Bill implementation and operability matters most relevant to local government. There is a second meeting scheduled for later in March before the pre-election period begins.

The scope of the Bill’s proposed duties was discussed further, following the publication of a related report by the University of Glasgow’s Centre for Public Policy. Officials noted that this paper would be a useful tool for engagement, particularly with academics, to help chart a way forward. There was also a brief discussion on ongoing engagement with the UK Government regarding these matters.

Members also discussed the implementation of the UNCRC Act. It was agreed that, subject to next steps after the election, officials would explore running a session with relevant interests to look in more detail at implementation of the Act, including lessons learned for a future Human Rights Bill.

Members reflected on other recent engagement activity, including the roundtables held on the group protection treaties and proposed accountability measures in the Human Rights Bill, and requested further detail. Officials provided a brief update and agreed to follow up with notes taken at these meetings. The Human Rights Division newsletter was highlighted as a useful way to stay informed, and members were encouraged to contact the team mailbox if they sought additional information following newsletter updates.

Reflective discussion

The Minister reflected on the collective progress made on the rights incorporation and implementation agenda and thanked members for their ongoing support, constructive challenge and spirit of collaboration. The Minister noted that the extensive activity taken forward across the Delivery Plan would put the next government in a good position to take forward this agenda.

The significant international interest in this work was outlined, with the Minister mentioning her recent engagement with the Office of High Commissioner Council of Europe. She noted that last week the Commissioner published a memorandum where he welcomed their meeting and highlighted the Scottish Government’s commitment to incorporation as best practice for other nations to follow.

The Minister then chaired a reflective discussion which centred on what members feel government should do to stand up for human rights across the UK and globally, their priorities for the Human Rights Bill going forward, and where members want government to focus its rights implementation measures.

In open discussion, members emphasised the importance of strengthening the focus on human rights within the Scottish Parliament. A suggestion was to consider a dedicated Minister for Human Rights next session. Members also identified the need for broader political engagement across all parties and government to build sustained parliamentary support for a future Human Rights Bill.

Members also highlighted the absence of a clear, consistent narrative on the importance of human rights. They agreed that articulating a strong vision and rationale, supported by more frequent public statements, would help reinforce the case for action.

Members felt that the Human Rights Bill should be introduced to Parliament as soon as possible in the next session. There was discussion regarding the pace of the Parliamentary process, with some members emphasising that it should not be rushed in order to ensure MSPs are well briefed given the complexities associated with Bill proposals. Members also felt that more focus should be placed on the Bill’s practical real world application and potential benefits so that it can be effectively implemented, elevating discussion at times away from the purely technical detail of the proposals.

The Minister noted points made by members during the reflective discussion. The Minister noted her own discussions with Ministerial colleagues on the need to mainstream equality and human rights across portfolios. She also noted that the future passage of the proposed Bill will ultimately depend on parliamentary votes, and encouraged members to engage with all political parties to help build support for the legislation.

Members acknowledged the progress made to date in strengthening capability across public bodies. They discussed opportunities to explore more innovative approaches to implementing a future Human Rights Bill, including the potential use of the Human Rights Scheme and the role of courts in collaboratively addressing systemic issues. Members also noted the forthcoming launch of the Tracker tool, and briefly discussed possible ways it could be used to support implementation.

Any other business

The Minister summed up and drew the meeting to a close, thanking members once again for their advice, support and engagement on the rights incorporation and implementation agenda.