A new website has launched to help public bodies carry out human rights impact assessments

Public bodies have no excuse for failing to ensure what they do respects the human rights of everyone living in Scotland, following the launch of a new website.

The new site provides a range of material and advice to help public bodies carry out equality and human rights impact assessments.

Created by the Scottish Human Rights Commission (SHRC) and the Equality and Human Rights Commission in Scotland, the website is part of Scotland’s National Action Plan for human rights.

Public sector organisations have a legal duty to assess the equality impacts of proposed policies such as closing care homes, opening new schools or adjusting care provision. They also have a legal duty not to breach human rights laws.

The website doesn’t just focus on legal compliance but on reaffirming the importance of equality and human rights. It provides practical guidance, examples and resources to ensure impact assessment are meaningful.

Professor Alan Miller, chair of the SHRC, said: “The commission is pleased to be launching this resource. We hope our work in this area, in collaboration with the Equality and Human Rights Commission in Scotland, will advance understanding of both why and how impact assessment can be used as an effective tool to improve outcomes, support service delivery and, fundamentally, treat people with the dignity to which they are entitled.”