Scotland in 'UK first' human rights action plan

Scotland's National Action Plan for Human Rights has been developed after four years of research by the Scottish Human Rights Commission.

The plan aims to improve human rights protection in Scotland.

The commission's evidence suggests basic rights are not consistently promoted, respected or protected in people's every day lives.

The Scottish government, the NHS, Amnesty International and various other organisations including trade unions and local authorities were involved in creating the action plan.

Areas of concern when drawing up the document included: care, disability rights, health, criminal justice and business.

Commitments have been made by the bodies behind the plan to integrate human rights more closely into their work.

Commission chair Professor Alan Miller said: "Today, International Human Rights Day, Scotland is taking a big step towards building a country where everyone can live a life of human dignity.

"The Scottish Parliament has human rights at its heart, it created the Scottish Human Rights Commission and today Scotland's first National Action Plan for Human Rights is launched as the next step on Scotland's journey to progressively realise internationally agreed human rights for the benefit of everyone."

(2013-12-11/bbc)