Professor Angela O'Hagan

The SHRC has focused on strengthening accountability, “amplifying lived experience” and embedding a stronger human rights culture across Scotland.

The report highlights the following:

• SHRC launched its first State of the Nation report, on civil and political rights, to support the Scottish Parliament and other public bodies to understand and meet their obligation under human rights law.
• SHRC research revealed serious gaps in the realisation of human rights in the Highlands and Islands, with many people unable to afford housing, to heat their homes or to travel to access healthcare. The Scottish Parliament held a debate about the SHRC findings on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights in the Highlands and Islands.
• As part of the UK National Preventive Mechanism, SHRC examined human rights in prisons and mental health settings, and found that international recommendations had not been implemented and human rights are at risk
• SHRC found that many disabled and autistic people still have no choice but to live in institutions in violation of their right to independent living despite government promises. SHRC worked with human rights defenders on a participation project to co-create tools for people with learning disabilities, autistic people and people who support them.
• SHRC has new legal powers to bring or intervene in cases about children’s rights under the UNCRC (Incorporation) (Scotland) Act 2024.

Professor Angela O’Hagan, chair of the Scottish Human Rights Commission said: “We are the independent, expert body that works with and for the people of Scotland; we monitor, listen, speak up for all of our human rights and respond when things go wrong.”

“At a time when human rights feel increasingly precarious, our role as Scotland’s National Human Rights Institution is more important than ever. We are working hard to make it impossible for legislators and decision makers to ignore human rights.

“Human rights are not about abstract principles, but the reality of everyday life. By framing people’s challenges not just as local issues, but as rights violations, we strengthen and amplify their voice.

“As respect for the rule of law and the dignity and equality of individuals are increasingly challenged, I call upon all of us in Scotland to recognise the humanity of the person standing beside us and work together to ensure that respect unites us.”