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UNCRC Incorporation (Scotland) Bill – Debate Day

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Today, The Scottish Parliament will hold a debate to reconsider United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (Incorporation) (Scotland) Bill. This is the landmark piece of legislation that will protect children and young people’s rights in Scots law.

I am still optimistic that we can make this bill have a real impact on the lives of children and young people after the changes. But to make that work, we need to recognise that part of upholding our rights includes making this proposed legislation easy for children and young people to understand. It must be made extremely clear what it will and won’t do, and how it will empower us.

Olivia Brown MSYP, SYP Policy Trustee

Here’s a timeline on the story of UNCRC in Scotland and how SYP has played its part:

Should the UNCRC Bill pass, our Members and partners have been clear that this is not the endpoint in our campaign, but should only be seen as the start – here’s what SYP Trustee, Marcus Flucker MSYP, said:

“It’s important that we remember this is just the next step on the journey to protect children’s rights in Scotland. This vote is not the final destination but instead is a key milestone. Yes, we have waited a long time for this moment, but the real hard work for decision-makers in only starting.”

On the topic of culture change, the Member for Aberdeenshire East, Isla Grant MSYP, added:

“Creating a change of culture is key to ensuring that implementation of the UNCRC has a real, tangible effect on Scottish life. To young people, knowing that the adults tasked with looking after us really do care about our rights and wellbeing is as important as the implementation of the rights themselves.”

– Isla Grant MSYP

We urge Members of the Scottish Parliament to show their support for the Bill in the debate today and vote in favour of the UNCRC (Incorporation) (Scotland) Bill. SYP distributed a briefing to all MSPs ahead of the debate to provide background on the issue and our role in the campaign.

The UNCRC debate gets underway at around 2:45pm this afternoon – you can watch live online on The Scottish Parliament website.

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