The First Minister has delayed the humans rights bill promised to campaigners by his predecessor as he continues to rip up SNP manifesto promises at a rapid rate.
By David Walker - Politics reporter
September 6, 2024
Credits @FFHR.CZ
John Swinney has rolled back on another one of Humza Yousaf's Scottish Government vows after he abandoned plans to introduce a new Human Rights Bill before the next Holyrood election. It follows another of his policies, free bus travel for asylum seekers, being axed due to budget concerns.
The SNP's 2021 Scottish Parliament's manifesto committed the party to incorporating four UN treaties into Scots law, with this including "economic, social and cultural" rights which sets out a right to adequate food, housing and clothing. Mr Yousaf included this in his programme for government and officials have consulted on it.
However, the Scottish Government have now confirmed that the long-awaited legislation will be kicked into the long grass as it wasn't included in Mr Swinney's programme for policies in the upcoming Holyrood term. This has been slated by campaigners and charities who were promised action.
Neil Cowan, Scotland programme director at Amnesty International, said: "The Scottish Government’s failure to bring forward the Human Rights Bill in the Programme for Government represents the breaking of a promise to people and communities in Scotland who so urgently need it.
"Right now, people across Scotland are living without access to their basic everyday rights -locked into poverty, living in unacceptable housing, and unable to get the healthcare they need. They have now effectively been told that the changes the Human Rights Bill would bring to their lives are not a priority for this government.
"The First Minister stated in his Programme for Government that tackling poverty, promoting prosperity, improving public services and addressing the climate emergency were his government’s priorities. The failure to deliver the Human Rights Bill undermines every single one of those priorities and lets down the people who need it the most."
A spokesperson for Human Rights Consortium said: "The message from the Scottish Government that a Scottish Human Rights Bill is not on the agenda nor a priority is deeply disappointing and a breach of trust. The Bill, due to be introduced by June 2024, has been inexplicably delayed again."
Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville confirmed to MSPs that the bill has been delayed until the "next parliamentary session" at least. But the SNP may be out of power when that comes around meaning that the legislation will likely not see the light of day.
Source: scottishdailyexpress.co.uk
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