Responding to the news that the UK Government is referring the UNCRC Incorporation (Scotland) Bill to the Supreme Court, Commissioner Bruce Adamson said: 

“Children, young people and the adults who work and care for them have campaigned for decades for the UNCRC Incorporation Bill, a world-leading piece of legislation to protect children’s rights. Incorporating the UNCRC into Scots law is the most important step we can take for children and it is vital that the challenge by the UK Government on specific parts of the Bill does not create unnecessary delay to the much-needed rights protections it will provide.  

In its role as human rights guarantor, the Scottish Parliament scrutinised and improved the Bill as it progressed through the legislative process and it was the unanimous view of the Parliament that the Bill is within its legislative competence.  

Children need us to continue to focus on working together to implement the Bill. It is essential that this legal challenge is resolved swiftly and that the Bill is commenced as soon as possible afterwards, so that children in Scotland, who have already waited an extraordinary amount of time, can have their rights fully protected in law.”