Scottish Human Rights Law Group

The Scottish Parliament Equal Opportunities Committee is conducting an inquiry into the impact and contribution of migration and the extent and nature of trafficking in Scotland. It will consider how public sector agencies assist victims of trafficking; the contribution of migration to the Scottish economy; the contribution of migrant communities to Scottish culture, society and civic society; and the degree …

Jamie Doward
Observer, February 7, 2010, 23
A coalition of judicial experts, lawyers and politicians has warned the Government that its continued ban on prisoners voting could lead to a series of legal challenges after the 2010 general election. In 2009 the Government acknowledged that some prisoners must be allowed to vote in line with a 2001 European Court of Human …

Andrew Norfolk
Times, February 11, 2010, 18
The Court of Appeal (CA) has ruled that Hindus and Sikhs in Britain can cremate their dead on funeral pyres. The landmark ruling follows a case brought by Davender Kumar Ghai, a 71-year-old Hindu, who wanted the right to be cremated by “sacred fire”, according to the ancient diktats of his religion. Mr Ghai’s request …

Jim Murdoch (University of Glasgow)
European Human Rights Law Review E.H.R.L.R. (2010) No.1 Pages 26-46
Examines the utilisation of the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), as experienced by individuals, non-government organisations and the disposal of communications by the CEDAW Committee. Provides an overview of the Optional Protocol, with reference to areas …

Merris Amos (Queen Mary, University of London)
Modern Law Review M.L.R. (2009) Vol.72 No.6 Pages 883-908
Discusses whether the Human Rights Act 1998 should be replaced or supplemented by a “British” Bill of Rights, looking at problems with the Act, and comparing the Government and Opposition proposals. Considers public misunderstanding of the Act, criticism by the media and public figures, the limited …