UN Convention on the Rights of the Child Bill - Making children's rights the law

Overview

Images in this consultation courtesy of the Children's Parliament

An easy read version of this consultation is available (PDF file download).

What is the children's rights Bill?

A Bill is an idea for a new law that the Scottish Parliament needs to think about. Right now, there is a new Bill that would make children’s rights part of the law in Scotland. This is sometimes called “incorporation”.

Children’s rights are what children need to grow up happy, healthy and safe. They are written in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child or the ‘UNCRC’ for short. The UNCRC also says what governments should do to respect children’s rights. It includes things like the right to education, health, family life, and protection from being hurt or treated unfairly.

The Scottish Parliament’s Equalities and Human Rights Committee is looking at the Bill and want to know what you think about your rights and how they can be protected.

What you say is really important. It will help the Scottish Parliament decide if any changes are needed so that the Bill works properly. It will also help the Scottish Parliament decide if the Bill will become a law.

How can I share my views?

We have made a pack with activities (PDF file download) that adults can use to help you share your views. You might like to ask an adult to write down what you have to say.

A presentation is available (PowerPoint file download) from the Parliament’s Education team as an additional resource for schools.

You don’t have to answer all the questions. There are no right or wrong answers. You can share your views by sending the Committee:

• a response to this consultation - click the link under 'Share your Views' at the bottom of the page
• a letter or email - find our contact details here
• a picture you have made - you can do this on the second page of the consultation linked at the bottom of the page
• a video in British Sign Language - find out more about submitting your views by British Sign Language
• a photo you have taken of something you have created or done - please don't send photos of you or anyone else, this is to protect people's privacy; you submit this on the second page of the consultation linked at the bottom of the page

You can send your views in any language. Information about this consultation is available in Gaelic.

Please submit your views via the submission form, accessed below.

There are some questions on the first page which require you to respond. All questions following the first page are optional. You can save your progress at any point by using the 'Save and come back later...' button.

The call for written views will close at midnight on Friday 20 November 2020.

The Scottish Parliament and its Committees value diversity and seek to work towards committee witnesses being broadly representative of Scotland’s society. As such we encourage members of underrepresented groups to submit written evidence. If you need advice, please contact the Clerks on the email address: equalities.humanrights@parliament.scot

Before making a submission, please read our privacy notice (PDF file download) about submitting your views to a Committee. This tells you about how we process your personal data. If you are under 12 years of age, please read this privacy notice (PDF file download).