Human Rights Consortium Scotland Conference: Our Rights. Your Choice

Lynda Towers, Convener of our Constitutional Law and Human Rights Committee reflects on the theme of the 2026 Human Rights Consortium Scotland Members Conference, 'Our Rights. Your Choice' and shares her concerns and hopes for human rights, now and in the future.

On 3 February 2026, representatives from the Law Society of Scotland attended the Human Rights Consortium Scotland Members Conference at the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow.  Taking an exhibition space to showcase our Election Priorities, we enjoyed meeting many of the 180+ delegates from a wide variety of organisations.

The key theme of the conference was 'Our Rights. Your Choice.', which reflects the growing sectoral enthusiasm for progress on human rights in Scotland. This central message strongly aligns with the position of the Law Society of Scotland, outlined in our Election Priorities: incorporation of key UN Human Rights Conventions into Scots law, and the introduction of a Human Rights Bill in the next parliamentary session.

There was a strong array of speakers and contributors which highlighted the ‘hostile environment’ facing human rights, echoed by recent comments from both the Minister for Equalities and the First Minister, who acknowledged that more should have been done. Video messages from across the political spectrum echoed this sentiment throughout the day.

Concerns were raised about the weakening of international accountability mechanisms, including delays within the UN system and the UK Government’s attempts to dilute the European Convention on Human Rights.

At the same time, civil society organisations in Scotland were described as being under intense pressure, with shrinking resources and rising demand.

Despite this, the conference was not without hope. Participants pointed to Scotland’s National Action Plan for Human Rights (SNAP 2), ongoing development of the Scottish Human Rights Bill, the implementation of the UNCRC Act, and renewed efforts around mainstreaming and accountability.

As a member of the panel in the question and answer session at the end of the day, I was keen to emphasise that while the Scottish Government has taken steps towards a Human Rights Bill – including the publication of a Human Rights Bill Discussion Paper in July 2025 - a draft Bill is some way off yet.

However, throughout the conference, experts repeatedly underlined the importance of this legislation, and expressed a strong desire to work collaboratively to make a Bill a reality.

What stayed with me most was the shared sense that human rights matter now more than ever, and that the choices made by governments, decision makers, and political party election manifesto developers in the coming period will be decisive.

That message is one which the Law Society and I fully share.