08.12.2016
The Scottish Parliament’s Equalities and Human Rights Committee has taken evidence from some of the Parliament’s youngest ever witnesses ahead of the UN’s Human Rights Day, which is on Saturday 10 December.
The young people, who are between Primaries 4 – 7, are pupils from Thornlie Primary School in Wishaw, North Lanarkshire and Westfield Primary School in West Lothian. Both schools have been working with committee members as pupils learn about human rights issues.
The children were able to share some of their priorities with the MSPs on the committee, including rights around gender, education, the environment, personal safety and children’s rights. Members agreed to take on board the young people’s views across their parliamentary work.
Equalities and Human Rights Committee Convener, Christina McKelvie MSP, said:
“We’d like to thank the pupils for coming to give their views to our committee. It’s incredibly important that we hear the voices of young people, and the ideas they shared were fresh and inspiring.
“As we mark Human Rights Day, it’s a good time to reflect on where we are with Human Rights in Scotland as well as around the world. The testimony we’ve heard today really puts our work into focus. We will take forward the passion these young people have for human rights.”
Background
Information about the committee visit to Thornlie Primary School is available here.
Photographs of the session are available, please contact Greg Black for more information.