Human Rights

To mark Human Rights Day, the law societies of England and Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland have united to call for urgent ratification of a new treaty designed to protect lawyers. The Council of Europe Convention for the Protection of the Profession of Lawyer provides a framework to protect law

To mark Human Rights Day, the Thomson Reuters Foundation has released new findings from a survey of members in its TrustLaw network, "throwing into relief the impact of growing attacks on civil society". Over the last year, sweeping cuts to international aid budgets have hit organisations across the

As the world marks Human Rights Day today, Amnesty International UK says it is a vital moment to reflect on the fact that most people across the country strongly support human rights protections and "believe they matter now more than ever". Recent polling conducted by Savanta for Amnesty Internation

More than 100 separate resources have been brought together for the first time to support Scottish public sector organisations in "effectively embedding" equality and human rights in their day-to-day work. The Mainstreaming Toolkit is part of a suite of new publications – including a guiding E

Human rights remain out of reach for many people, according to a new report published by the Scottish Human Rights Commission (SHRC). The State of the Nation 2025 report focuses on economic, social and cultural rights, the rights that ensure everyone can live with dignity: rights to adequate housing

A new report published today by the Scottish Human Rights Commission (SHRC) reveals the traumatic experiences of families whose loved ones have died in custody in Scotland. The report draws from a major ‘Family Listening Day’ attended by 33 bereaved relatives, revealing a fatal accident

Police in the Philippines unlawfully targeted protesters with unnecessary and excessive force during anti-corruption marches in September, according to new testimony gathered by Amnesty International ahead of fresh protests planned across the country this weekend. Ten people interviewed by Amnesty I

In support of international efforts to address the impacts of climate change, the Scottish government has confirmed funding for loss and damage, human rights and adaptation projects, as part of the £36 million Climate Justice Fund. Recognising that "communities in the Global South, who have co

Scots lawyers have called for the international law against genocide to be enforced in Gaza in an open letter to the Scottish and UK governments. Rachel Moon, partner at Govan Law Centre, explained what motivated her to draft the open letter with legal colleagues.

Tributes have been paid to human rights lawyer Professor Conor Gearty KC following his sudden passing at the age of 67. Professor Gearty, who was born in Ireland and studied law at University College Dublin before moving to England in the 1980s, was a widely-respected scholar as well as a pract

Two new part-time commissioners have been appointed to the Scottish Human Rights Commission, bringing with them significant experience in governance of public bodies and expertise in the third sector and human rights. Following an open appointment process by the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body

Destruction in Bat Yam after an Iranian missile strike Credit: Yoav Keren, CC BY-SA 3.0

States and companies are manufacturing, promoting and selling electric shock equipment that is being used for torture and other ill-treatment, said Amnesty International, in a new report calling for a global, legally-binding treaty to regulate the unchecked trade in law enforcement equipment. &ldquo

The relentless gang violence in Port-au-Prince and surrounding areas has resulted in a brutal attack on childhood in Haiti, Amnesty International said in a new report. “I’m a child, why did this happen to me?”: Gangs’ assault on childhood in Haiti, documents how children are

The International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI) is offering a free online training course for human rights defenders working on cases relating to freedom of religion or belief (FoRB).  Taking place from 17–27 February, the programme is divided into 16 sessions co