Strathclyde Law School Leads the Way on Human Rights Leadership

Professor Nicole Busby (3^rd from left) and Professor Elisa Morgera (far right) launched the report with the other members of the First Minister’s Group, Professor Alan Miller and Nicola Sturgeon at Bute House.

Three members of the Law School have recently completed work on an influential report for the Scottish Government on human rights leadership in Scotland. Professors Nicole Busby and Elisa Morgera were members of the First Minister’s Advisory Group on Human Rights Leadership which was chaired by Strathclyde’s Visiting Professor Alan Miller.  The group published its recommendations on how human rights leadership can be exercised in and by Scotland on 10^th December, Human Rights Day. Central to these recommendations is a new framework of human rights to improve people’s daily lives.

Operating independently from the Scottish Government, the Advisory Group was set up by Scotland's First Minister, as part of the 2018 Programme for Government. It was set up to make recommendations on how Scotland can continue to lead by example in the field of human rights, including economic, social, cultural and environmental rights.

Speaking on the publication of the Report, Professor Alan Miller said: “There is an urgent need of human rights leadership in today’s world, so we were delighted that the First Minister asked us for recommendations on how Scotland can lead by example. The leadership steps that Scotland needs to take are clear. The internationally recognised human rights belong to everyone in Scotland and must be put into our law. As importantly, they must then be put into everyday practice. In this way people are empowered to lead lives of human dignity, to have a sense of self-worth.”

Welcoming the report and its ambition for Scotland, the First Minister said: “I set up the Advisory Group to offer advice on how we can further enhance human rights, as I wanted to ensure Brexit does not harm human rights in Scotland and that we remain in step with future advances in EU human rights. I also asked for recommendations to ensure Scotland is an international leader in respecting and enhancing human rights. It is fitting that the report is published as we celebrate Human Rights Day and the 70th anniversary of the signing the UN Declaration of Human Rights. I would like to thank Professor Alan Miller and all members of the group for their work and hope they continue to support efforts to deliver the human rights that will improve lives.”

The full report is available here.