Action Plans in Other Countries

The development of SNAP builds on the experience of European countries like Finland, Sweden and Spain and Commonwealth countries like Australia, South Africa and New Zealand as well as guidance from the United Nations, Council of Europe and Commonwealth.

Over the past two decades the UN has encouraged and supported countries to develop National Action Plans, stressing their importance in identifying gaps in human rights protection, clarifying the responsibilities of States, and establishing monitoring systems so that progress made in promoting and fulfilling human rights protection can be measured over time. 

Action Plans from a selection of countries can be viewed at the website of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights.

The Council of Europe in 2009 also recommended that Action Plans be used to systematically implement human rights at the national level.

Scotland has the benefit of learning from the experience of others in developing a National Action Plan, and reflections on this are below.

Mattias Falk, International Coordinator of the Swedish Equality Ombudsman said “Our experience of National Action Plans in Sweden, where the Government is currently drafting its third action plan, has been both positive and productive. The purpose of the National Action plan was to carry out a coherent review of the  human rights situation in Sweden and, on the basis of the review, to propose measures for more systematic work with human rights at the national level.  We warmly welcome the development of a National Action Plan for Scotland and strongly recommend that everyone works together with the Scottish Human Rights Commission in this important process for securing human rights in Scotland.”

Link - http://www.manskligarattigheter.se/en/human-rights

Sirpa Rautio, Director of the Human Rights Centre of Finland said: “Finland has recently adopted a National Action Plan on Fundamental and Human Rights, which translates into concrete terms the duty to guarantee the observance of fundamental rights and human rights imposed on public authorities by the Constitution. The action plan will enhance the implementation of fundamental and human rights in Finland, and was drafted by a working group which brought together representatives of all Ministries, the Office of the Chancellor of Justice and the Office of the Parliamentary Ombudsman. The drafting process also involved open dialogue and engagement with representatives of NGOs and other human rights actors
”We are very pleased to learn of the development of a National Action Plan in Scotland and offer our full support. National Action Plans are an important tool in the realisation of human rights, they can hold states to account, ensure cordination in implementing and reporting on international obligations and promote a culture of human rights.”

Link - http://www.oikeusasiamies.fi/Resource.phx/eoa/english/hrc/general.htx

Navi Pillay, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights:

“It is very important that countries develop and implement national action plans with the participation of civil society, public bodies, United Nations experts, academics, parliaments and individuals. National action plans can bring clarity to States in identifying the steps they must take to improve the promotion and protection of human rights, especially for the most vulnerable people. I am pleased to welcome the initiative taken by the Scottish Human Rights Commission to carry out this broad consultation."

Link - http://www.ohchr.org/EN/Pages/WelcomePage.aspx

Nils Muižnieks, Commissioner for Human Rights, Council of Europe said: "I welcome the development of a National Action Plan for Human Rights in Scotland. To develop an action plan openly presenting problems and a process of developing practical solutions is a signal of commitment to human rights. Scotland is joining an increasing number of countries across Europe that have developed and implemented National Action Plans to support the full realization of human rights in practice. I look forward to engaging with this process."

Link - http://www.coe.int/t/commissioner/default_en.asp

The Hon Catherine Branson QC, President, Australian Human Rights Commission:

"In Australia, the process of establishing a human rights action plan has been led by the national government. To date it has been a positive process - with a focused dialogue with the community about the most important human rights issues that we face. The plan will be in place from July 2012. Our aim has been to achieve a better connection between the domestic actions taken to protect human rights and our international obligations. There is a particularly clear connection between the outcomes of the Universal Periodic Review of Australia and the proposed priority actions by government over the next three years. As the national human rights institution of Australia, we intend to use the Action Plan to hold the government to account in meeting its human rights obligations, and in measuring our progress in improving human rights over time."
"We encourage everyone in Scotland to engage with the Scottish Human Rights Commission in developing your national action plan on human rights. Our Commission's motto is 'human rights: everyone, everywhere, everyday'. Your engagement in this process contributes to making these words true. Everyone has a role in shaping the human rights priorities for their country: I urge you to make your voice heard. National action plans can help to hold governments to account, and bring about real change in institutions and organizations, as well as giving clarity on human rights obligations for the future."

Link - Australia's National Action Plan