Summary – A Human Rights Bill for Scotland: Discussion Paper

6. Next steps

The Scottish Government wants to use the upcoming period to test thinking on the proposals, strengthen them where possible, and better understand the practical implications of putting new human rights duties on public bodies in Scotland.

Particular areas for further testing and engagement include:

• Looking at options to expand the coverage of the Bill’s proposed duties for devolved functions.
• Exploring options for how to give effect to the specific rights for women, disabled people and racialised minorities.
• Further testing on how to reflect the right to a healthy environment in the framework.
• For the economic, social and cultural rights, exploring how to approach developing their minimum standards and the design of a participatory process to inform these standards.

The Scottish Government wants to work with other UK administrations, public bodies, legal stakeholders, civil society organisations and rights-holders on the proposals. We also want to engage with those who have been less involved to date, such as businesses and industry.

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