Human Rights Tracker Design Group minutes: May 2025

Attendees and apologies

• Charlie McMillan, Human Rights Consortium Scotland
• Brianna Fletcher, Convention of Scottish Local Authorities
• Farah Farzana, Scottish Council Equality Network
• Shilla Shomai, Together
• Professor Alan Miller, University of Strathclyde
• Rhona Willder, Scottish Independent Advocacy Alliance
• Stewart MacLachlan, Amnesty International
• Emma Hunter, Observer, Children and Young People Commissioner
• Alison Hosie, Scottish Human Rights Commission
• Jennifer Cannon, Scottish Human Rights Commission
• Christopher Clannachan, Equality Network
• Rob Gowans, Health and Social Care Alliance Scotland
• Euan Donald, Scottish Parliament
• Nicki Georghiou, Scottish Parliament

Apologies

• Eilidh Dickson, Scottish Human Rights Commission

• Kavita Chetty, Scottish Government

Items and actions

Welcome and Introductions

The Chair welcomed members to the meeting, noted apologies and outlined the meeting agenda.

The Chair highlighted the changes made to the Terms of Reference, as discussed during the meeting on 18 March. As no further comments were received, the group approved the Terms of Reference, which will be published on the Scottish Government website.

Minutes of previous meeting

Members had no comments or reflections on the minutes of the previous meeting of 18 March and agreed that they accurately reflected the discussions held. The minutes were approved and will be published on the Scottish Government website.

Presentation of options on functionality and scope

Scottish Government officials delivered a presentation outlining the functionality and scope of the proposed tool, referencing the options appraisal paper that had been shared with members in advance of the meeting. The presentation also included a walkthrough of the New Zealand Human Rights tracker tool, developed by IMPACT OSS, to provide context into potential approaches.

Three potential functionality routes were highlighted which were:

• full development (core content + core functionality + advanced functionality
• no advanced features (core content + core functionality); and
• a phased approach

Officials outlined factors to consider when choosing an option which included complexity, user needs and development timescales.

Three options for tracker scope were also highlighted:

• United Nations recommendations (including Universal Period Review)
• United Nations and Council of Europe recommendations; and
• A phased approach.

Factors for consideration highlighted to members included resource, timescales and manageability.

Officials noted Scottish Government working preference (subject to group discussions and Ministerial approval) as a phased approach to both functionality and scope. The initial tracker would include basic functionality and use the 2025 International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) recommendations as a pilot dataset. Some implementation information may be initially included contingent on other development priorities and capacity. This phased approach allows the Group additional time to further discuss and refine the tool’s functionality, agree on a timeline for incorporating additional treaties, and determine future ownership following the initial launch.

In the discussion that followed, members provided the following reflections:

• while the presentation and walkthrough of an established human rights tracker tool were helpful in visualising potential options, members expressed concern that the development and decision-making process for the tool could be constrained by the March 2026 deadline
•  members also raised concerns that further development may not continue beyond this date dependent on the outcome of the 2026 Scottish Parliament elections
• there was broad agreement on adoption a phased approach to both functionality and scope, with support for using the ICESCR recommendations as a pilot for the initial launch
• the importance of incorporating accessibility features from the outset was strongly emphasise

Concerns were raised about the lack of a mechanism for stakeholder engagement and input within the tool. Members also highlighted the risk that the Scottish Government could be perceived as lacking impartiality if stakeholder input is not adequately reflected and advocated for a whole-of-society approach. While they recognised that this functionality may not be achievable by March 2026, they were content to continue discussions on more advanced functionality following the initial launch of the tool and subject to Scottish parliamentary elections. The need to develop a civil society communications plan to build momentum and ensure broad stakeholder buy-in was also highlighted.

 

Early March 2026 was identified as the preferred launch date for the tracker tool, to coincide with the publication of the Scottish Parliament’s legacy report

It was agreed that Scottish Government should initially develop and administer the tracker, and that a pre-existing platform model should be adopted to enable the tool's launch bu March 2026. Aphase approach to functionality and scope, as outlined above, was also agreed.

The Secretariat noted the challenges raised and have logged them in a risk register. The Chair summarised views and confirmed that the next meeting would further explore the Project Initiation Document.

Impact assessment

Officials advised that the Project team is currently considering the range of Impact Assessments that will be required as part of the tracker’s development process.

Members shared initial reflections on accessibility requirements, including where to source relevant evidence and best practice.

The following actions were agreed by the Group:

• officials will draft a Project Initiation Document and will share it one week in advance of the next meeting
• officials will provide an update on the progress of the Impact Assessments at the next meeting
• members will contribute any further views on issues discussed via correspondence

The Chair thanked members and noted that the next Design Group meeting will take place no later than mid-July, with officials to issue an invitation in due course.