The Scottish Government has launched a consultation on the Rights of Children and Young People Bill, which will enshrine in law the duty on Scottish Ministers to recognise the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) when exercising its responsibilities.
The aim of the bill is to ensure all policies and legislation of the Scottish Government take account of and promote the rights of children and young people, resulting in greater consistency and clarity and setting an example for the wider public to follow.
As well as applying to all children and young people under the age of 18, the Scottish Government proposes that the bill will also extend to young people under 21 who have been looked after by a local authority. Other proposals include a duty on the Scottish Government to report on implementation every five years.
The Law Society of Scotland has welcomed the consultation. Morag Driscoll, convener of the Society's Family Law Committee and director of the Scottish Child Law Centre said:
"The UNCRC is an important convention which recognises the rights of children globally. It recognises that children and young people under the age of 18 often require additional protection and care which adults do not."
The consultation will run until 1st December 2011.
