Parliament Workbench
Data: Motions & questions to 19 Nov 2026 · Votes to 12 Nov 2026

Motion For Debate · S5M-15126 · Session 5

Demonstrating Leadership in Human Rights

Carried Lodged by Christina McKelvie SNP Lodged 11 Dec 2018 Debate 13 Dec 2018 1 supporter

The motion

That the Parliament reaffirms its long-standing commitment to human rights and human dignity and to the principles of equality, democracy and the rule of law; notes with approval that 2018 is the 70th anniversary of the adoption by the UN of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights; further notes similarly that Scotland has enjoyed 20 years of the vitally-important human rights safeguards that are contained in the Human Rights Act 1998 and the Scotland Act 1998; expresses its wish that all of Scotland should work in concert to promote and vindicate human rights for all, keeping pace with progressive international standards and demonstrating global leadership; notes the publication on Human Rights Day 2018 of the report and recommendations of the First Minister’s Advisory Group on Human Rights Leadership; welcomes the report and recommendations of the Equalities and Human Rights Committee, which was published on 26 November 2018, following the human rights inquiry that it carried out, and agrees that the Scottish Government should now take action, in partnership with civil society, the Parliament and all parties, to ensure that Scotland continues to lead by example across the full spectrum of civil, political, economic, social, cultural and environmental rights.

What MSPs voted on: the motion as amended

The SNP’s motion was changed by amendments from the Conservatives (S5M-15126.1) and the Liberal Democrats (S5M-15126.2) before this vote. A vote ‘for’ was a vote for the motion as amended, not as lodged.

That the Parliament reaffirms its long-standing commitment to human rights and human dignity and to the principles of equality, democracy and the rule of law; notes with approval that 2018 is the 70th anniversary of the adoption by the UN of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights; further notes similarly that Scotland has enjoyed 20 years of the vitally-important human rights safeguards that are contained in the Human Rights Act 1998 and the Scotland Act 1998; expresses its wish that all of Scotland should work in concert to promote and vindicate human rights for all, keeping pace with progressive international standards and demonstrating global leadership; notes the publication on Human Rights Day 2018 of the report and recommendations of the First Minister’s Advisory Group on Human Rights Leadership; welcomes the report and recommendations of the Equalities and Human Rights Committee, which was published on 26 November 2018, following the human rights inquiry that it carried out,S5M-15126.1 Conservative and notes the balance of support within the committee for the report’s conclusions, and agrees that the Scottish Government should now take action, in partnership with civil society, the Parliament and all parties, to ensure that Scotland continues to lead by example across the full spectrum of civil, political, economic, social, cultural and environmental rights.S5M-15126.2 Liberal Democrat , and welcomes the Scottish Government’s commitment to incorporate the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child into law and its move to meet the minimum age of criminal responsibility specified by the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child, both of which are prerequisites in establishing Scotland as an international human rights leader.

Final wording as read into the Official Report at Decision Time. The marked changes are worked out by this site from the amendment texts and match that wording.

Amendments

  1. S5M-15126.1 Conservative Annie Wells Agreed without a vote, per the Official Report
  2. S5M-15126.3 Labour Mary Fee Defeated vote, 30–83
  3. S5M-15126.2 Liberal Democrat Alex Cole-Hamilton Agreed vote, 88–0

Signatures by party

1 MSP besides the lodger · 0 from other parties
SNP 1

Party on the day each MSP signed. Signing a motion is voluntary and not whipped. Who signs whose motions

Vote

1 division
  1. 13 Dec 2018
    Demonstrating Leadership in Human Rights
    S5M-15126as amended by Conservative + Liberal Democrat
    Carried
    89 for, 0 against, 24 abstained

Amendments

3
  1. S5M-15126.1
    Demonstrating Leadership in Human Rights
    Annie Wells Con Lodged 12 Dec 2018
    No recorded vote
  2. S5M-15126.2
    Demonstrating Leadership in Human Rights
    Alex Cole-Hamilton LD Lodged 12 Dec 2018
    Carried
    88 for, 0 against
  3. S5M-15126.3
    Demonstrating Leadership in Human Rights
    Mary Fee Lab Lodged 12 Dec 2018
    Defeated
    30 for, 83 against

Supporters

1 MSP

SNP 1

Show all 1 supporter by party

SNP 1

Party shown is each supporter’s party when the motion was published.

In the Official Report

2 contributions mention S5M-15126
  1. 13 Dec 2018
    Demonstrating Leadership in Human Rights
    Linda Fabiani SNP Meeting of the Parliament

    The next item of business is a debate on motion S5M-15126, in the name of Christina McKelvie, on demonstrating leadership in human rights. 14:38

  2. 13 Dec 2018
    Decision Time
    Ken Macintosh Meeting of the Parliament

    The next question is, that motion S5M-15126, in the name of Christina McKelvie, on demonstrating leadership in human rights, as amended, be agreed to. Are we agreed? Members: No.