3 September 2026
by Graham Martin
It demonstrates how human rights connect directly to issues people already care about
A new national storytelling campaign is aiming to reshape public understanding of human rights by showing how they affect everyday life across Scotland.
Launched by JustRight Scotland and Human Rights Consortium Scotland (HRCS), the Rights Here Rights Now campaign brings together lived experience stories from people and communities across Scotland to highlight the real-life impact of poverty, inequality, discrimination, inaccessible services and barriers to justice.
Through a series of short films, social media content and public engagement activity, the campaign demonstrates how human rights connect directly to issues people already care about - including healthcare, housing, education, disability rights, environmental rights, family life, privacy and access to justice.
The campaign also aims to challenge growing misinformation and narrow portrayals of human rights by reinforcing that human rights are universal protections that belong to everyone.
Andy Sirel, legal director at JustRight Scotland, said: “Too often, human rights are talked about as if they are distant or complicated. In reality, they are about everyday experiences – our homes, our health, our relationships, our education, our privacy, and
our ability to be heard when decisions affect our lives. The stories shared through this campaign show that human rights are not just legal principles; they are real protections that help ensure people are treated with dignity, fairness and respect. They belong to all of us, and they help create the conditions for individuals, families and communities across Scotland to thrive."
Campaign contributors include people with lived experience of housing insecurity, disability discrimination, barriers to healthcare, poverty, migration and unequal access to public services.
The campaign launches at a critical moment for Scotland, as civil society organisations continue to call for stronger human rights protections through a Human Rights Bill for Scotland.
Campaign organisers say embedding rights more fully into Scots law would strengthen accountability and improve decision-making across public services.
Charlie McMillan, director at Human Rights Consortium Scotland, said: “Rights Here Rights Now aims to raise awareness of the everyday nature and importance of human rights. Whenever people speak about or access health, social care, education, employment, housing or justice services they are involved in realising their rights.
“However, it is all too easy for us to overlook this fact and take our human rights for granted. The stories promoted through this campaign demonstrate how important everyone’s human rights are, every day.”
The campaign will run across digital and social platforms, with materials also being shared directly with MSPs and partner organisations across Scotland.
Campaign organisers say the goal is not only to raise awareness, but to encourage meaningful public and political engagement around the future of human rights protections in Scotland.
Everyone can support the campaign by following, liking, and sharing Rights Here Rights Now posts on social media. You can also write to your politicians urging them to protect your human rights by calling for a Scottish Human Right Bill (MSPs) and for the UK to stay in the European Convention on Human Rights (MPs).
You can find out more about the campaign and view the Rights Here Rights Now stories at https://www.justrightscotland.org.uk/get-involved/campaign/rights-here-rights-now/
Campaign launches to highlight the everyday reality of human rights in Scotland - TFN
The above information is from a Third Force News (TFN) Weekly Social Justice and Poverty roundup Newsletter Tue 08/09/2026