Blogs
UNCRC Incorporation and Scotland’s Human Rights Bill: Joining the Dots for Local Government
Felicia Szloboda, Human Rights Project Manager, explores how UNCRC Incorporation and Scotland's Human Rights Bill are shaping a rights-based approach in local government, and what councils can do now to prepare for an evolving human rights landscape.
International human rights and local government: emerging practice
Aidan Flegg, Human Rights Capability Project Manager, explores the role of local government in promoting and protecting human rights.
Briefings
Localising Human Rights in Scotland: Lessons from the Human Rights City Movement?
Human rights are often most effectively realised at the local level, where people live, work, and access essential services. For this reason, how local governments globally are protecting and promoting human rights has becoming of increasing interest and, today, there exists a movement seeking to make local governments human rights champions. This briefing shines a spotlight on the Human Rights Cities movement and draws down its key lessons for all local authorities, and wider public bodies, here in Scotland.
The Human Right to Take Part in Cultural Life
Drawing on international frameworks, Scottish Government data, and the United Cities and Local Governments Culture 21 Plus framework, this briefing provides practical guidance and outlines ten key areas for local authority action, from adopting an explicit cultural rights policy and mapping the local cultural ecosystem, to connecting culture with health and wellbeing, protecting heritage, and building participatory governance.
Local Government and the Right to a Healthy Environment
This briefing is designed to act as an introduction to what the right to a healthy environment is, what practical actions can be taken to fulfil these rights locally, and to provide further resources for those seeking to learn more about this fundamental human right.