UNCRC Bill receives Royal Assent
Children’s rights in Scotland have been strengthened after the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (Incorporation) (Scotland) Bill (UNCRC) received Royal Assent on 16 January 2024.
This means the UNCRC is now incorporated into Scots law and decision-makers in Scotland are legally obliged to respect children’s rights.
Carolyn MacLeod, who runs Forces Children’s Education and is the National Education Officer for the Association of Directors of Education in Scotland (ADES), welcomed the Bill.
“This is an important step forward for children and young people across Scotland. The UNCRC is the base standard for children’s rights and we have waited a long time for this,” said Carolyn. “Children and young people from Armed Forces families are recognised as a distinct group who may encounter disruption with their education and relationships due to moving and parental deployments.
“This Bill will support young people across Scotland with civil, political, economic and cultural rights.”
More details on the Bill can be found on The Scottish Parliament website.
Photo: Pavel Danilyuk on Pexels.