A new report from Scottish civil society organisations, including Scottish Environment LINK, highlights that individuals’ rights must be safeguarded as the UK prepares to leave the European Union (EU).
Brought together by the Human Rights Consortium Scotland, experts from 12 different civil society organisations have outlined the potential impacts on rights in Scotland of the United Kingdom leaving the European Union.
Published on 27 March, the report argues how the EU has been the main driver of many individual rights for children, women, disabled people, and workers, as well as rights that are enjoyed by everyone such as a clean environment.
Without the EU pushing rights forward, these organisations are concerned that legal rights may be reduced, and that progress on achieving greater rights for disadvantaged people will stall. They are calling for greater participation in decision-making around negotiations for the UK leaving the EU.
Civil society works with, and represents many excluded or rarely listened to people in Scotland. Policy makers must listen to these people, and civil society can help them to do so.
Further reading:
- Read the full Rights at Risk Report March 2017 report
- Read Scottish Environment LINK’s contribution
- Read the Human Rights Consortium Scotland press release