Scotland has become one of the first nations in the world, and the first in the UK, to directly incorporate the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child into its national legislation, which signals an important cultural and legal change with the capacity to transform the lives of Scottish children.
In this sense, it is worth pointing out that the Convention establishes the specific rights that all children have in order to help them reach their potential, including those that protect children that come into contact with justice systems. Within the framework of this direct incorporation of the Convention into Scottish law, Scottish public authorities are required to report every three years on how they are protecting the rights in question, granting children and their corresponding representatives, if necessary, the right to turn to courts to have their rights enforced.
Throughout three years, public authorities will be provided with a programme funded with more than 2 million pounds to enforce the legislation, including funding to guide them and give them the skills needed when it comes to implementing the law. Lastly, it is worth highlighting that efforts will be made in order to empower children to claim their rights.