Statement from the Scottish Human Rights

Statement from the Scottish Human Rights Commission United Nations Human Rights Committee 140th Session Oral statement delivered at the UN Human Rights Committee in Geneva for the 8th examination of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights 11th March 2024 Introduction Thank you to the Committee for this opportunity to h. [...] However, the restriction of the human rights framework in other legislation, particularly the Illegal Migration Act and Safety of Rwanda Bill is incompatible with the State’s obligations. [...] The legislation conflicts with a number of essential devolved obligations to support individuals, including the recently passed UNCRC (Scotland) Act 2024, as well as the obligations under the Scotland Act to act compatibly with the European Convention on Human Rights. [...] The lack of access to appropriate mental health support in prison settings and practices such as the use of segregation continue to be of huge concern after many years of being raised by a number of bodies in Scotland and internationally. [...] An Independent Review of the Response to Deaths in Prison Custody was published in 2021, co-chaired by the Scottish Human Rights Commission and accepted in full by the Scottish Government.