Human Rights Innovation in Scotland
On the 20th Anniversary of the Scotland Act 1998 and the Human Rights Act 1998 – what have we learned and what are the next steps in Scotland’s human rights journey?
This event aimed to mark twenty years of the Human Rights Act 1998 within the devolution settlement in Scotland and reflect on the potential of the next twenty years to further the implementation of internationally-recognised standards, including those relating to social security, the highest attainable standard of health, cultural heritage, and environmental governance, amongst others.
A summary report of the conference is available here.
Event Programme
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Timings |
Overview |
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09.15 – 09.35 am |
Registration
Tea/coffee
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09.40am |
Welcome |
Professor Sir Jim Macdonald (University Principal)
Dr Elaine Webster (Centre for the Study of Human Rights Law Director, Strathclyde Law School)
Video message of support from Christian Courtis (UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights)
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10.00am |
Opening keynote |
Scotland’s Ambition on Human Rights
Chair: Professor Alan Miller, Chair of First Minister’s Advisory Group on Human Rights Leadership, Strathclyde Law School
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon MSP
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10.25am |
Break
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10.40am |
Presentation and Interview |
In retrospect: 20 Years of the Scotland Act and the Human Rights Act
Chair: Dr Chris McCorkindale, Strathclyde Law School
Reflections from and in Conversation with the Right Hon. Lord Wallace QC
Interviewer: Dr Elaine Webster
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11.30am |
Presentation and plenary discussion |
What is Human Rights Leadership Today?
Chair: Professor Elisa Morgera, Strathclyde Law School
Professor Alan Miller
Respondents: Cath Denholm, NHS Health Scotland Dr Calum MacLeod, Community Land Scotland Mhairi Snowden, Human Rights Consortium Scotland
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12.30pm |
Lunch
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1.15pm |
Afternoon keynote
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Taking Our Rights Seriously: Our shared responsibility
Chair: Professor Aileen McHarg, Strathclyde Law School
Lord Advocate, James Wolffe QC
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1.35pm |
Roundtable |
Shared Leadership in Human Rights
Michael P Clancy OBE, Director of Law Reform, The Law Society of Scotland Sarah Crawford, JustRight Scotland/Scottish Women’s Rights Centre Shelagh McCall QC, Faculty of Advocates
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2.15pm |
Break |
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2.30pm |
Panel reflections and plenary discussion |
What is the Contribution of Legal Practitioners?
Chair: Kay Springham QC, Faculty of Advocates
Rachel Moon, Govanhill Law Centre Ximena Vengoechea, Faculty of Advocates Seonaid Stevenson, RebLaw
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3.20pm |
Panel presentations and plenary discussion |
Innovations in socio-economic and environmental rights implementation
Chair: Kavita Chetty, Scottish Human Rights Commission
Professor Nicole Busby, Strathclyde Law School Professor Paul Hunt, University of Essex School of Law Professor Elisa Morgera, Strathclyde Law School
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4.20pm |
Closing remarks
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Dr Elaine Webster |