UN human rights conference opens in Scotland

The first official United Nations event in Scotland took place yesterday, when the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay joined delegates at the Scottish Parliament for the start of the 10th International Conference of National Human Rights Institutions. Nearly 80 countries were represented at the conference.

Delegates debated issues connected to business and human rights, chosen as the conference theme because of increased international recognition of the relationship between corporate activity and human rights.

Ms Pillay, making her first official visit to Scotland, said: "National Human Rights Institutions - official state institutions that work independently from governments to protect and promote human rights at the national level - are a pivotal component in the international human rights system.


(2010-10-09/Scotsman)