A big day for children’s rights!

It’s time to celebrate! Today is an historic day – the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) is incorporated into Scots law. 

Nicola Killean, Children and Young People’s Commissioner, has filmed a short video for children, explaining the importance of incorporation and what it really means. 

She says: “Today is a big day for children and young people in Scotland! The UNCRC (Incorporation) (Scotland) Act now has real legal force which means that your rights are now part of the law in Scotland. 

“With these rights in law, decision-makers can be held accountable. 

“Our office also gets new powers to take legal action when children’s rights aren’t being respected. That legal power will help us to address wider issues that are important to more children and young people.” 

The UNCRC sets out the human rights of children and young people, including the right to an education, the right to the best possible health, to nutritious food, to a safe, warm house, to social security, and the right to protection from abuse and neglect. Having these rights in law is a legal change, but also a cultural one. 

And it’s a change that children and young people – as well as this office – have been campaigning for over decades. 

Nicola adds: “Today, let’s celebrate this historic moment and thank all the children and young people who made this possible. This is a huge step forwards to a Scotland where your rights are recognised, respected, and enforced.”