Date: 28th February 2019
Category: Civil Rights and Freedoms, General measures of implementation

Associate Professor at Swansea University, Dr Simon Hoffman, and member of Together's Incorporation Advisory Group, has published three briefing papers on the incorporation of human rights in Wales. Dr. Hoffman contends that human rights have been agreed by the community of nations, the United Nations, as basic entitlements which should be available to everyone. This sets the tone for the first briefing, Incorporation of International Human Rights, which discusses how human rights may be incorporated, and demonstrated and why this should be the objective in Wales.

Date: 28th February 2019
Category: Civil Rights and Freedoms, Equal protection from violence, Family Environment and Alternative Care, General measures of implementation, General principles, Other human rights treaties and mechanisms

A joint letter from the Children’s Commissioners for Scotland, England, Wales and Northern Ireland was sent to Rt. Hon Stephen Barclay MP, the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union. This letter seeks assurances on some of the immediate issues facing children arising from Brexit.

Date: 28th February 2019
Category: Civil Rights and Freedoms, Equal protection from violence

The latest report of the Special Rapporteur, Michel Forst, reports on the situation of human rights defenders in which he reviews the situation of women human rights defenders making comparisons to children’s rights defenders.

Date: 28th February 2019
Category: Civil Rights and Freedoms, General principles, Disability, Basic Health and Welfare

Closing date: Friday, 29th March 2019. The Scottish Government is asking for views on their Good Food Nation public consultation. In 2014, Becoming a Good Food Nation, set a new vision for Scotland: that by 2025 Scotland will be “a Good Food Nation, where people from every walk of life take pride and pleasure in, and benefit from, the food they produce, buy, cook, serve, and eat each day.” This consultation is all about what laws we should have to achieve this.

Date: 28th February 2019
Category: Civil Rights and Freedoms

Together has responded to the Scottish Government’s consultation on hate crime legislation in Scotland. The consultation sought views on the recommendations of the Independent Review of Hate Crime Legislation led by Lord Bracadale in 2018.

Date: 28th February 2019
Category: Civil Rights and Freedoms, General measures of implementation

The Children and Young People’s Panel on Europe launched its report last week. The report sets out Panel members’ views and priorities around Brexit, including recommendations for decision-makers.

Date: 28th February 2019
Category: Disability, Basic Health and Welfare, Education, Leisure and Cultural Activities, Civil Rights and Freedoms

Together has responded to a call for evidence on Scotland’s progress towards the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The SDGs were launched in 2015 and set out 17 Goals with the aim of encouraging all countries to implement the necessary environmental, economic and social change to achieve peace and prosperity for all.

Date: 21st February 2019
Category: Civil Rights and Freedoms, Access to appropriate information, Equal protection from violence, Freedom of association and peaceful assembly, Freedom of thought, conscience and religion

Closing date: Sunday, 3rd March 2019. FMQT Next Generation is giving children and young people another opportunity to question the First Minister in person, or submit questions, ensuring that the voices of children and young people are heard in Scottish politics.

Date: 21st February 2019
Category: Civil Rights and Freedoms, General measures of implementation

The UNHCR published a new report urging authorities to end detention of children for immigration purposes, integrate children in their national systems, and provide them with the guardianship systems.

Date: 21st February 2019
Category: Disability, Basic Health and Welfare, Civil Rights and Freedoms, Education, Leisure and Cultural Activities

CRIN is a creative think tank that produces new and dynamic perspectives on human rights issues, with a focus on children’s rights. CRIN is saying goodbye to business as usual and introducing the CRIN code. The code sets out their values, principles and vision for a rights-respecting world and how they intend to get there.

Date: 12th February 2019
Category: Civil Rights and Freedoms, Education, Leisure and Cultural Activities

A historic moment for Brue Adamson, the Children and Young People’s Commissioner, happened on 25th September as he was asked to give the first Rhodri Morgan Annual Lecture focusing on children’s rights at the Senedd, or the National Assembly of Wales.

Date: 12th February 2019
Category: Equal protection from violence, Civil Rights and Freedoms, Family Environment and Alternative Care, Protection from abuse or neglect, Parental guidance, General measures of implementation, Best interests of the child

The States of Jersey has voted to repeal a section of a law which allowed smacking by a parent if it was deemed "reasonable" making it illegal.

Date: 12th February 2019
Category: Disability, Basic Health and Welfare, Civil Rights and Freedoms, Access to appropriate information, Family reunification, Care Experienced children, Protection from abuse or neglect, Family Environment and Alternative Care, Awareness-raising, Best interests of the child, Refugee , migrant and asylum-seeking children

Children and Families Across Borders (CFAB) have created a factsheet for social workers and any professional protecting children on the impact Brexit may have on children and families who are crossing, or separated by, international boarders living in the UK.

Date: 12th February 2019
Category: Reporting to and monitoring the UNCRC, Civil Rights and Freedoms, Awareness-raising

The Best of UNICEF Research 2018 was recently published. This research underscored the need to view both forms of violence against children and intimate partner violence (women) as overlapping issues with common risk factors.

Date: 12th February 2019
Category: Civil Rights and Freedoms, General principles

During the Committee on the Rights of the Child’s review of Guinea, Committee member Mikiko Otani asked Guinea about the status of a bill on Human Rights Defenders which came about following an initiative from civil society. 

Date: 12th February 2019
Category: Civil Rights and Freedoms, General measures of implementation

Between 18th January and 1st February, the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child held its 80th session.

Date: 12th February 2019
Category: Civil Rights and Freedoms, Access to appropriate information, Awareness-raising, General measures of implementation, Incorporation, General principles

The Human Rights Education Review Report has published a report identifying a number of violations of the human rights of children in school settings.  

Date: 12th February 2019
Category: Civil Rights and Freedoms

2019 marks the 30th anniversary of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. Child Rights Connect have shared their planned work for the 30th Anniversary of the UNCRC – you can find out more about it here.

Date: 10th December 2018
Category: Civil Rights and Freedoms

To mark Human Rights Day on the 10th December 2018, Together has signed a joint letter to the Prime Minister calling for a commitment to safeguarding universal human rights as the UK prepares to exit the European Union.

Date: 4th December 2018
Category: Civil Rights and Freedoms, Incorporation

Scottish Parliament’s Equalities and Human Rights Committee has published its report on Human Rights in Scotland which welcomes the Scottish Government’s commitment to incorporate the principles of the UNCRC into Scots Law.  The Committee calls for the commitment to be taken forward in this parliamentary session.